FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Tuesday, June 26, 2007

For More Information Contact:

Jonathan Burman or Tom Dunn at (518) 474-1201

Internet:  http://www.nysed.gov

WHITNEY WASHOUSKY AWARDED THE GRIFFITH SCHOLARSHIP

Whitney Washousky has been awarded the Regent Emlyn I. Griffith Scholarship this year.  The award was presented today at the June meeting of the New York State Board of Regents in Albany. The Griffith Scholarship provides a $500 scholarship to assist a deserving son or daughter of a Department employee in obtaining a postsecondary education.

Whitney Washousky is the daughter of Anne Schiano, Assistant Director of Curriculum Services, and Michael Washousky, Regional School Services.  Whitney will be graduating from Tamarac Senior High School in Troy, New York where she has a 94.5 average, played Varsity softball, and co-captained her team in her senior year.

In addition to academics and sports, Whitney has been greatly involved in numerous community service projects.  Her most notable projects include raffling off a quilt to members of her church and school to raise money for Habitat for Humanity, organizing a talent show through her National Honors Society to raise money for a local charity, fundraising efforts for Joseph’s House, an organization which supports homeless families, and collecting and donating stuffed animals to the Bethany House for local less fortunate children.  Whitney’s sense of community service was not limited to just local activities.  While on a planned family cruise in 2005, she decided to take time to donate her old picture books to schools in Jamaica, Cozumel, and Belize.  According to Whitney, the look on the faces of the students was well worth sacrificing one day at the beach.  For Whitney, community service is a rewarding and fulfilling experience and has allowed her to put her own life into perspective.

This fall, Whitney will be attending Providence College in Rhode Island.

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