NVUL scholarship winners, with Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green, from left are Oshae Moore, Aaron Moorer, Abigail Darko, Matthew Ritchie, Darrell Green, Morgan Hobson, Christian Clark, Miranda Merritt, Nicholas Conklu, and Jessica Brisco. Kel B Pics Photography
What do Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green, Korean Commander General Vincent K. Brooks, U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott and the Northern Virginia Urban League (NVUL) have in common? The Northern Virginia Urban League honored six champions in the community for leadership and community service and awarded $50,000 in scholarships to local minority Northern Virginia high school seniors at its 27th Annual Community Service and Scholarship Awards Gala on Friday, April 28 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. The theme was “Celebrating Champions in Our Community.”
Those recognized as Community Champions included:
• Darrell Green (former Washington Redskin and Pro Football Hall of Famer) - Champion of the Community, Man of the Year Award. Green spoke of his challenging upbringing and despite the success of his NFL career his life beyond #28 is devoted to God and community.
• U.S. Rep. Robert “Bobby” C. Scott (D-3) - Congressional Leadership Award. Scott spoke of the critical value of historic preservation and advocacy for affordable healthcare
• Mele Melton (founder of Culturfied Foundation) - Emerging Leader Under 40 Award. The owner of 27 Taco Bells spoke of changing culture and the need for children to become “Culturefied.”
• Brigadier General (Retired) Leo A. Brooks, Sr., Brigadier General (Retired) Leo A. Brooks, Jr., and General Vincent K. Brooks - Leadership and Military Service Award - African-American family with father and two sons to attain rank of general in the U.S. Army. History making, press-averse, family with two generations of generals and three generals in the family is an unprecedented milestone. Son Vincent who commands Korea is managing the conflict for the Trump Administration.
Seniors receiving a college scholarship in the amount of $5,000 each were:
• Yosaph Boku - Mount Vernon High School, Alexandria.
• Jessica Brisco - T.C. Williams High School, Alexandria.
• Christian Clark - Washington-Lee High School, Arlington.
• Nicholas Conklu - Washington-Lee High School, Arlington.
• Abigail Darko - Heritage High School, Leesburg.
• Morgan Hobson - Fairfax High School, Fairfax.
• Miranda Merritt - Thomas A. Edison High School, Alexandria.
• Oshae Moore - Robert E. Lee High School, Springfield.
• Aaron Moorer - Mount Vernon High School, Alexandria.
• Matthew Ritchie - Loudoun Academy of Science, Sterling/Broad Run High School, Ashburn.
Monies raised from the gala will benefit preservation of the Freedom House Museum, STEM Education Programs, STEM Summer Camps, STEM Technology Expositions, Mentoring Programs, Leadership Development Programs for Young Professionals, and $50,000 in Scholarship Awards to Minority Youth.
For more information about the Northern Virginia Urban League, visit www.nvul.org.