NEW ORLEANS – Applications are now open to participants wishing to qualify for the Jack Fielkow Scholarship.
The annual college scholarship program was developed by the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Foundation and the Jack Fielkow Scholarship Fund, and serves to benefit participants of the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy and the “Each One Save One” mentoring organization.
The scholarships are worth up to $4,000 for two selected participants (each receives $2,000 total) who demonstrate academic achievement, community participation, leadership skills and financial need. Scholarship recipients must attend an accredited two- or four-year college, university, vocational school or technical school.
Recipients of the scholarship will be selected by a committee of individuals involved in the establishment of the program. This includes Arnie Fielkow, the former New Orleans City Council President and current CEO of the National Basketball Retired Players Association, who made a $40,000 donation in his father’s name via the Jack Fielkow Scholarship Fund. Louisiana-based First NBC Bank matched Fielkow’s donation to the scholarship program. Arnie Fielkow was also instrumental in the establishment of the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy and a mentor for several years with Each One Save One.
“My family and I are very proud to partner with MLB Urban Youth Academy and Each One Save One for this wonderful program that both honors the legacy of my late father, Jack Fielkow, and gives back to youth in my adopted hometown of New Orleans,” said Arnie Fielkow. “As seen with the success of last year’s scholarship winners, we look forward to partnering with these outstanding organizations in assisting the youth of New Orleans.”
Last year’s winners included Christian Marshall of McDonogh #35 College Preparatory School and Marshante Collins of Joseph S. Clark Senior High School. Marshall went on to attend Tuskegee University and Collins attends Dillard University.
“We are very excited that our kids once again will have this opportunity to secure a college scholarship,” said Eddie Davis, Manager, New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy. “We stress the importance of academic success and strong character just as much as we do the fundamentals on the field and we look forward to rewarding a recipient who will showcase excellent leadership and focus both on and off the field.”
“We believe that with a mentor, each child has an opportunity to reach his or her fullest potential,” said Each One Save One representative Cathy Harris. “Achieving success is a challenge without sufficient financial resources. Now, more than ever, the need is great for many graduates seeking higher education. The Jack Fielkow Scholarship provides our young people with an opportunity to pursue their dreams.”
The deadline to fill out an application for those eligible is April 30, 2016. A committee of judges will select two winners on May 20, 2016 and the winners will be announced afterwards. Only members of the New Orleans MLB Urban Youth Academy and Each One Save One are eligible scholarships.
