Four graduates of Rockdale County Public Schools were awarded the Collins Family Scholarship which was announced just before graduation. Each student will receive $1,500 to help defray the cost of tuition at the college or technical school they will be attending this fall.

The Collins Family Scholarship awards a total of $6,000 to qualifying graduates of Rockdale County Public Schools who are of Hispanic/Latino descent, with first preference given to first generation college students. First generation college student is defined as neither parent has attended a college or technical school program.

The essay asked students to explain the importance of going to college or technical school for him or her personally, and the impact he/she feels it will have on future generations in his/her family.

The four students awarded the scholarship are: Sydney Lewis (RCHS) will attend Georgia State University, Betty Alvarez (HHS) will attend Gwinnett Technical College, Alexis Angeletti (HHS) will attend Oglethorpe University, and Jorge Mendez (HHS) will attend Georgia State University.

"We funded these scholarships to provide, in a small way, some recognition and assistance to aspiring “first generation” college students of Latino descent," said Rose Collins. "In this way, we hope to encourage these deserving recipients to pursue their dreams of becoming the first college graduates in their families, and to be a model for others by demonstrating that with hard work and a little help and encouragement, their dream is possible."

“We certainly appreciate the kindness and support of the Collins family for our students,” says Superintendent Richard Autry. “Their generosity will not only have an immediate impact on the lives of students and families, but will inspire future generations to continue their education beyond high school as well.”