Student success: Pictured are (from left) Comcast Vice President of Governmental Affairs Frank Lynch, Comcast Vice President of Community Investment Bob Smith, Michele Holland and Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse.
Comcast surprised Swenson Arts and Technology High School student Michele Holland with a $10,000 college scholarship during the company’s annual Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program in Harrisburg. In all, Comcast awarded $200,000 to 191 Pennsylvania students, including more than 40 from Philadelphia.
John Hanger, secretary of planning and policy for Pennsylvania, and other government officials joined Comcast executives for the ceremonial presentation at the State Museum of Pennsylvania.
Each of 190 students identified as “leaders and achievers” were awarded a $1,000 scholarship except for Holland, who was selected for the $10,000 Comcast Founder’s Scholarship, named in honor of Ralph J. Roberts, the company’s founder and chairman emeritus. Holland ranks fourth in her class academically among 156 students and will attend Temple University next fall as a communications major.
Other scholarship recipients from Northeast schools were Betzaida Berrios of Franklin Towne Charter, Emily Hancin of Archbishop Ryan, Tessy Philip of MaST Community Charter, Anthony Rynkiewicz of Frankford High, Jamie Tomlinson of St. Hubert, Gregory Van Buskirk of Father Judge and Karli Visconto of Nazareth Academy. ••