KIPP Delta Student Receives $60,000 Amplify Scholarship, with iMentor Support For Transition to College
[Helena, AR – May 3, 2021] – Today, KIPP Delta Public Schools joins iMentor and the KIPP Foundation to proudly announce Kamaron Williams as one of 15 recipients across the United States to receive the 2021 Amplify Scholarship, which provides KIPP students and alumni with support in the transition to college. Each Amplify Scholar will receive mentorship, professional development and $60,000 to cover a range of expenses not traditionally covered by college-based financial aid. This video shows the moment Kamaron received the news he has been selected for the scholarship (skip to 2:15 to see his reaction)
“Our students have the power to transform the world,” said Richard Barth, CEO of the KIPP Foundation. “Our partnership with iMentor supports them in their freedom to explore the professional paths they choose in college without the financial burden of non-tuition expenses. The Amplify Scholarship continues to show the incredible power of mentorship and it gives us a picture of what can be achieved when barriers are removed for talented young leaders!”
“Kamaron Williams is an exceptionally deserving recipient of this scholarship,” said William Hill, Executive Director of KIPP Delta Public Schools. “We’re proud of his many achievements as a KIPP Delta Public Schools student, and we’re excited to see the successes that lie ahead for him in college and beyond.”
Kamaron Williams, a senior at KIPP Delta Collegiate High School aspires to be a successful entrepreneur and retail mall owner. During his time in school, he interned at Thrive Inc., a graphic design business that does community projects to decorate the city, served as the President of the Young Democrats and Vice President of Student Body Government.
“The Amplify scholarship will put me ahead in my career because I will not have as much student loan debt when I graduate,” said Kamaron.
“I am thrilled to announce our third cohort of Amplify Scholars. This group of KIPP students
embodies many of the core values of iMentor – demonstrating excellence, leadership, and a
commitment to the power of relationships to transform our society. Each student has a unique
story and we are thrilled to support these graduating high school seniors as they continue to
and through college,” said Jana L Reed, Interim CEO of iMentor. “I look forward to seeing how
our scholars use the skills they develop to impact their communities and bring change to the
world.”
iMentor will work closely with staff from the KIPP Through College program to ensure scholars are building the knowledge, skills and mindsets necessary to thrive in college and beyond. While in college, Amplify scholars will receive guidance from an iMentor program manager, work one-on-one with a volunteer mentor who will support scholars through their educational and professional pathways, and benefit from the iMentor community to learn about summer internships, scholarship stipends, and career opportunities.
About KIPP Delta Public Schools
KIPP Delta Public schools educates students in the Mississippi Delta region in pre-k through 12th grade. Founded in 2002, KIPP Delta Public Schools has five schools in Helena/West Helena and Blytheville, AR. It is part of the public-school system and is free and open to all students.
About KIPP
KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of 255 public charter schools dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in c
College and life. KIPP schools are part of the free public school system and enrollment is open to all students. Started in 1994 as a middle school program, KIPP has since expanded to enroll over 112,000 students in all grades from PreK through high school. Nationwide, KIPP students complete their bachelor’s degree at a rate of 35 percent, comparable to the national average for all students and approximately three times higher than the average for students from low- income families.
About iMentor
iMentor builds mentoring relationships that empower first-generation students to graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambitions. iMentor was founded in 1999 by John Griffin, Richard Buery and Matt Klein. Launched with just 49 students in a single school in the South Bronx, iMentor has served nearly 38,000 students since its founding in 1999 through direct-service programs in Baltimore, the Bay Area, Chicago, and New York City, and through our partnerships with local non-profit organizations that implement the iMentor model in communities across the country.
