Scholarships Awarded to McDonogh 15 Students for Special Achievement in Academics, Music and Creative Arts
Ramsey, N.J. and New Orleans, La. – April 21, 2008 – Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta – www.kmbs.konicaminolta.us), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced the recipients of its second annual scholarship program that will allow three graduating eighth grade students from the McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts (McDonogh 15) to attend top-rated, private New Orleans high schools. The scholarship initiative is conducted through its Colorful Tomorrow Foundation, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charitable division of the company that focuses its efforts on the creation of more colorful and better tomorrows for children. For the students of McDonogh 15, the scholarships will provide them with the opportunity to attend private, college-preparatory high schools that will prepare them for higher education as part of Konica Minolta’s ongoing commitment to the school.
“McDonogh 15 students are some of the most gifted and hardest working in New Orleans, and for the second year we are working to provide three select students with the opportunity to take the next step in improving their education,” said Jun Haraguchi, President and CEO, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “These scholarships represent one of Konica Minolta’s primary CSR initiatives, the next generation of education, because we believe strongly in the work being done at McDonogh 15 to foster a strong educational foundation for New Orleans youth.”
Each year, Konica Minolta will award $15,000 scholarships to three students that excel in the areas of academics, creative arts and musical arts. This year, eight scholarship finalists were chosen from a group of 25 applicants who were required to complete a scholarship application as well as submit a 100-word essay outlining their educational and career goals. The finalists were then interviewed by a panel of Konica Minolta and New Orleans city representatives, including:
* Tom Jones, manager of professional development from Konica Minolta’s Atlanta office
* Tom Dempsey, former kicker for the New Orleans Saints and current National Account Representative at Konica Minolta’s New Orleans sales branch
* Marge Reilly, paralegal from Konica Minolta
* Dawn Brown, Meteorologist, WWL-TV, a CBS affiliate in New Orleans
* Myrtha Eugene, corporate counsel from Konica Minolta
* Mary Beth Mullin, convention sales manager for New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau
* Veronica Murillo, Editor, iTchat (a BERTL industry publication)
James Norberto, manager of publication relations for Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. moderated the interview process and recognition awards event.
“For the second year in a row, we were presented with an extremely talented group of scholarship applicants,” said Norberto. “We were inspired by of all of the applicants, and are proud to know that Konica Minolta is assisting the three winners in furthering their academic pursuits.”
After much anticipation, the winners were announced at an assembly held at McDonogh 15 on April 18, 2008:
* Antonio Miller, recognized for “Outstanding Proficiency in Creative Arts”, will attend Metairie Park Country Day School this fall, and dreams of becoming an actor and artist.
* Kelvin Harrison, Jr., recognized for “Outstanding Proficiency in Music Arts”, will attend the Isidore Newman School and the acclaimed New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) this fall, and dreams of becoming the next big jazz musician to come out of New Orleans.
* Chad Stone, recognized for “Outstanding Academic Achievement”, will attend the Isidore Newman School this fall, and dreams of becoming a high-powered and influential lawyer.
“It has been my dream to attend Newman and NOCCA in the hopes of perfecting my musical talents, but I never thought it would be possible,” said Kelvin Harrison, Jr. “With the help of this Konica Minolta scholarship, I am on my way to fulfilling my educational and musical dreams.”
About McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts
McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts was opened under the auspices of KIPP New Orleans in the summer of 2006 to serve the students of a rebuilding New Orleans. McDonogh 15 is an open-enrollment public charter school that unites a rigorous college-preparatory academic experience with a focus on the creative arts. McDonogh 15 is part of the national KIPP network and the local KIPP New Orleans network of public schools, which plans to operate five school serving nearly 2,000 students within five years. For more information, please visit www.kipp.org.
About Konica Minolta Colorful Tomorrow Foundation
Konica Minolta Colorful Tomorrow Foundation (CTF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established under the laws of the State of New Jersey. Members of the management team of Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. serve as CTF’s Trustees and Officers voluntarily and without compensation.
CTF’s mission is to provide opportunities to create colorful and better tomorrows for children. The CTF looks to partner with organizations that contribute to society in a number of key areas, all of which are focused on children. Specifically, the CTF supports efforts that prepare children (18 years or younger) for a stronger future, especially in those communities where Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. does business.
The CTF aligns itself with Konica Minolta’s leading role in the imaging and networking technology markets to support efforts that create opportunities for all students – especially those interested in the creative arts and computer technology education. Additionally, the CTF supports disaster relief efforts, protection of the environment, and efforts to improve health and medical care for children.
About Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Inc. (www.kmbs.konicaminolta.us), a leader in advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, brings together unparalleled advances in security, print quality and network integration via its award-winning line of bizhub(TM) multifunction products (MFPs); bizhub PRO(TM) production printing systems; magicolor® desktop color laser printers and all-in-ones; and pagepro(TM) monochrome desktop laser printers and all-in-ones. Konica Minolta also offers advanced software solutions, wide-format printers, microform digital imaging systems, and scanning systems for specialized applications.
Headquartered in Ramsey, NJ, Konica Minolta delivers expert professional services and client support through an extensive network of direct sales offices, authorized dealers, resellers and distribution partners in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America.
Konica Minolta Corporate Contact
James Norberto
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
+1 201.825.4000
[email protected]
Konica Minolta Media Contact
Christen Rice
Lois Paul and Partners
+1 781.782.5869
[email protected]
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Konica Minolta is a trademark of Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
