BLUE PRINT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

GEORGETOWN - The scholarship committee of the Blue Print Leadership Academy is proud to announce that Jaleel Filmore, a graduating senior at Andrews High School is the first recipient of the Blue Print Leadership Academy/Paine College scholarship. Mr. Filmore impressed the scholarship committee with his enthusiasm about attending college and his academic growth.

"I am very excited about the quality of students who applied for the Paine College Scholarship," says Ervin "Blue Print" Parker, founder and interim executive director of the Blue Print Leadership Academy, "We had three very strong candidates who completed an application and interview process. The competition was so good that it forced the scholarship committee to take extra days to decide upon the recipient."

After his selection, Mr. Filmore traveled to Paine College for a campus tour and to dine with Dr. and Mrs. George Bradley. He was accompanied by his mother, family members and Mr. Ervin Parker. Dr. Bradley, president of Paine College, is a former South Carolina State University football teammate of Mr. Parker. Through personal and professional experience, they are both interested in furthering the education of our youth.

Together they have created a scholarship program for a deserving young man or woman with plans to attend Paine College in Augusta, GA. The scholarship will provide funds for any educational expenses created by a financial aid shortfall for three academic years as long as the recipient retains the required grade point average.

Mrs. Emma Filmore who accompanied her grandson to the scholarship interview stated, "I have enjoyed everything I have heard about the program and I am really glad my grandson has the opportunity."

The additional two finalists for the scholarship were Mr. Alvin Walker, Jr, a student at Georgetown High School and Mr. Montcerrio McCrea of Andrews High School.

"I want to thank Mr. Ervin Parker for the opportunity for this scholarship and for the work he does in our community," says Mr. Alvin Walker, Sr. who accompanied his son to the scholarship interview, "It doesn’t matter who receives the scholarship but the opportunity to try is very much appreciated."

Mrs. Patricia McCrea, mother of finalist Montcerrio McCrea shared her thoughts. "I was so impressed with his (Mr. Parker's) personality toward our youth in making sure that they continue their education. He inspired me when he told them that first, you must discover yourself, and then you can help others. It is so wonderful that this outstanding man believes and knows that "Knowledge is Power"".

The BPLA/Paine College Scholarship will be awarded three years. To learn more about the scholarship, visit www. Blueprintleadership.org or call the Blue Print Leadership Academy at 843-545-8861. The Scholarship application process will be announced on the BPLA website, through the Georgetown County School District and local media.

Founded in 2001, the Blue Print Leadership Academy is a youth mentoring program based in Georgetown, SC. The program was conceived and founded by Mr. Ervin "Blue Print" Parker, a retired National Football League player. Georgetown is Mr. Parker's hometown. He returned to start the Academy and to give back to his hometown. To learn more about Blue Print Leadership Academy, please visit www.blueprintleadership.org.

Paine College is a beautiful 57-acre campus located in the heart of Augusta, GA near the important cultural and economic centers. The campus is located one hour away from Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, and it is an easy two-hour drive from Atlanta, the capital of Georgia. To learn more about Paine College, visit www.paine.edu .

MEDIA - Contact Marilyn Hemingway, The Hemingway Group, a communications firm at 734-834-2114 for more information.

BPLA Scholarship Finalists: From left to right: Mrs. Patricia McCrea, Montcerrio McCrea, Jaleel Filmore; Mrs. Emma Filmore, Mr. Ervin Parker, Alvin Walker Jr., Alvin Walker Sr., and Ms. Marilyn Hemingway

2018 Church Street/PO Box1989 Georgetown, SC 29442
Phone: 843-545-8861     Fax: 843-545-8802