“Oakland student gets $16,000 scholarship”
The Montclarion
June 24, 2005
By Sandy Clark
Rickey Smith began to take his studies seriously when he went to live with his grandparents in the fourth grade. By the time he enrolled in Skyline High School, tragedy was eating away at his family life.
Both grandparents passed away within three months after he entered high school. They had always encouraged his education. Now, thanks to a $16,000 scholarship from the East Bay College Fund, his dream — and the dream of his late grandparents — will become a reality this fall at San Jose State University.
Formed in 2002 by a wide variety of East Bay educators, activists and citizens, the East Bay College Fund is based on the successful San Francisco-based Meritus College Fund. The fund’s “Great Expectations” award provides recipients $16,000 over four years and a mentor to help guide them through the college experience.