Scholarship Fund Awards $400,000 to Alexandria City Public School Students

The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria (SFA) awarded $400,000 in scholarships to 152 Alexandria City Public Schools’ class of 2018 students who are the first-time recipients of an SFA scholarship to support their college education.

The individual donors and local business leaders who provided the funding for the scholarships awarded the scholarships on stage during the 32nd Annual Spring Benefit Gala. The scholarships will support students with financial need as they attend college.

John and Claudia Waller were honored during the ceremony for supporting students attending college by providing scholarships through the SFA for 30 years.

“This is my favorite night of the year, when all of our bright young students are celebrated for their academic achievements and the amazing futures that lie ahead of them. It is such a meaningful and poignant moment when I see our students say ‘thank you’ to all of you who support their scholarships and make college possible for our T.C. Williams students in need. These scholarships literally change lives forever,” said SFA Executive Director Beth Lovain.

Anya Faruki, recipient of the Loti Dunn Scholarship, received a $24,000 scholarship award over four years. She is planning to study Chinese and global education at the University of Virginia.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have received this scholarship as I would not be able to live my dream without it. As students at a high school as reputable and diverse as T.C. Williams, we are very fortunate to have had the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria to help pave our futures and give us the financial stability we need in order to be successful. Thanks to the continued generosity of the Scholarship Fund donors, we will be able to commit to our futures and be one step closer to becoming future doctors, lawyers, musicians, physician assistants, teachers, and politicians,” Faruki said.

The SFA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing merit- and need-based scholarships and financial aid advising to Alexandria City Public School students. Since 1986, SFA has awarded $14 million in scholarships, making college dreams come true for 4,600 students.

2018 Scholarship Recipient Highlights:

Anya Faruki – Recipient of the Loti Dunn Scholarship. Anya received a $24,000 scholarship award over four years. She is planning to study Chinese and global education at the University of Virginia.

Cindy Do – Recipient of the Alexandria Gazette Packet Scholarship. Cindy received a $12,000 scholarship award over four years. She plans to study at the University of Virginia to become a physicians’ assistant.

Zachary Hunter – Recipient of the Peter Balas Scholarship and Posse Scholarship. Zachary is planning to study economics at Lafayette College. Zachary is receiving a full-tuition scholarship to Lafayette