Twenty-Six Boston Public Schools Students Recognized with Award

(Boston, MA September 14, 2020) – As part of its longstanding commitment to supporting science education, Boston public media producer GBH inaugurated the Paula S. Apsell/GBH STEM Scholarship and has selected 26 of this year’s graduates of Boston public high schools to receive the award.

The scholarship is named for Paula S. Apsell, who served for 33 years as Senior Executive Producer of the science series NOVA, which is produced by GBH and seen nationally on PBS. The scholarship is open to any Boston public high school senior planning to study in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics at the post-secondary level.

“We are thrilled to be able to support these students as they pursue careers in science,” said GBH president and CEO Jon Abbott. “It’s critical that we encourage science knowledge and skills, and create opportunities for our students as they seek to have a meaningful impact on our future.”

The diverse group of scholarship winners are from nine Boston public high schools with plans this fall to study in STEM fields ranging from biology and medicine to computer science, math, mechanical and civil engineering and aviation. The scholarship committee included Apsell, along with scientists, educators and representatives from BPS.

“It was a privilege to see the work of these exceptional Boston public school students who aspire to STEM careers and to be part of the process that helps move them forward in their studies,” said Apsell. “Having devoted my entire career to public understanding of science, I am honored to have this scholarship bear my name.”

The scholarship is endowed by GBH for 10 years and donations may be made to the fund. More about the students and their photos can be seen here https://www.wgbh.org/foundation/stem-scholarship

The 2020 Paula S. Apsell /GBH STEM Scholarship Recipients
· Suhayla Abdi, Josiah Quincy Upper School
· Lunessa Charles, Brighton High School
· Faith Cole, Boston Latin Academy
· Stefany Crisosto, East Boston High School
· Elidja Diakite, Boston Latin Academy
· Christina Exilhomme, Boston Latin Academy
· Kyra Freeman, John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science
· Maryan Hassan, John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science
· Nhi Ha, John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science
· Jared Hill, Henderson K-12 Inclusion School
· Brian Kubinec, East Boston High School
· Mariano Majano, East Boston High School
· Rashad Brown Mitchell, Fenway High School
· Kimi Nguyen, John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science
· Valerie Novoa, John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science
· Ashley Okoro, John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science
· Blessing Okoye, John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science
· Rickanya Paulissaint, Community Academy of Science and Health
· Julie Qui, Boston Latin Academy
· Yislan Ramirez, John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science
· Dejvi Rrapi, John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science
· Jamar Sequeira, Boston Latin Academy
· Jodiah Toney, Edward M. Kennedy Academy
· Melody Yetbarek, Community Academy of Science and Health
· Jinnatun Yousuf, John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science
· Wei Zhang, John D. O’Bryant School of Math & Science

About GBH
GBH is the leading multiplatform creator for public media in America. As the largest producer of content for PBS and partner to NPR and PRX, GBH delivers compelling experiences, stories and information to audiences wherever they are. Headquartered in Boston, GBH has been recognized with hundreds of the nation’s premier broadcast, digital, and journalism awards. Find more information at wgbh.org.
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