Seven TCC students awarded ACCESS scholarships

Seven Tidewater Community College students received ACCESS College Foundation scholarships, awarded at a luncheon at the Town Point Club in Norfolk on April 28.

The students are Ciarra Cortado of Virginia Beach, who plans a nursing major; Reza Farsi of Virginia Beach (computer science); William Ferris of Virginia Beach (business); Reginald Ford of Virginia Beach (business); Courtney Redford of Norfolk (social science); Morgan Sawyer of Chesapeake (business); and Jasmine Wynn of Portsmouth (business).

“I want to personally congratulate these exemplary students Jasmine, Reza, William, Courtney, Morgan, Ciarra and Reginald,” said TCC President Edna Baehre-Kolovani, who attended the luncheon. “At TCC, we continue to be appreciative of the financial support the ACCESS College Foundation provides for deserving students looking to achieve success and find opportunity in higher education.”

Each student received an average of $1,250 a year, renewable for up to three years. Students must be in good academic standing and demonstrate financial need to earn the award, which requires an application process.

ACCESS Scholar and current TCC student Zachary Sorey, who plans to transfer to Georgia Tech this fall, spoke at the awards ceremony. Sorey, who recently won the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation undergraduate transfer scholarship, earned an ACCESS scholarship following his graduation from Grassfield High.

“With my solid educational foundation at TCC, and all of the assistance I received from ACCESS College Foundation, I will be successful in my transition to Georgia Tech,” he said.

Local philanthropists Frank Batten and Joshua P. Darden Jr. founded ACCESS College Foundation in 1988 as a vehicle to provide students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend and complete college. Over the years, it has helped 39,000 students go to college. For information, visit accesscollege.org.