Atlantic City awarded $1 million in scholarships as part of an inaugural program to help the city's youth continue their educations.
Fifty graduating seniors and 50 students already in college were awarded the scholarships. Each will receive $10,000 over two semesters.
"I know students who have spoke about how they didn't know how they were going to pay for things like food, bills and rent," Class of 2023 Valedictorian Rami Rabayah told those gathered for the announcement last week.
He said he also wondered how he would fare living on his own for the first time.
"This alleviates financial stress that I feel like will make it easier to focus on our academics and to come back and make Atlantic City a great city," he said.
The money comes from the Addressing Educational Disparity category of the $33 million of American Rescue Plan funds the city received over the past two years.
The city has committed $3 million over the next three years.
"Go away, explore, get educated, but never forget where you came from," Mayor Marty Small told several of the students as the names were read.
A committee headed by Small's wife, schools Superintendent Dr. La'Quetta Small, and city employee Pamela Fields chose the 100 students.
The mayor said he was not involved in the decision-making progress.
All applicants had to submit a resume, a one-page essay explaining how they will contribute to bettering Atlantic City and two letters of recommendation. Graduating seniors also had to have a college acceptance letter.
"I was extremely pleased with the essays," Dr. Small said. "I just hope, after you go to college, stay there and finish, you come back to the great city of Atlantic City and execute some of your ideas."
Zashira Jackson thanked several of those involved in her the opportunity, including High School Principal Constance Days-Chapman.
"She made this year special for me," Jackson said.
"I'm truly blessed and grateful to the great city of Atlantic City for this opportunity, not only for the scholarship but to also advance as a stellar individual scholar," Nasim Adderly said.
Graduating senior Bre'Niyah Jones thanked those gathered for "pushing me to be the person I am today because I wouldn't be standing here with you."
She then borrowed the mayor's catchphrase: "Can we say great day?"
Heaven Leon said she was proud of the committee and recipients.
"I'm proud of the college recipients because, Lord knows, we wanted that 10k," she said. "We needed it. So I'm thankful for this opportunity. I'm so so grateful for this experience."
She then made a promise.
"You're all going to see all of our faces 10 years from now," Leon said, "because everybody behind me is going to be doing something great."
