Unique Program Encourages Academic Excellence Throughout High School and Beyond

O’Melveny & Myers LLP presented scholarships totaling $130,000 to local public high school students at the Seventh Annual O’Melveny & Myers Scholarship Awards ceremony on Tuesday, June 23, held at the Firm’s New York office. The O’Melveny & Myers awards program is organized in conjunction with The Fund for Public Schools and the New York City Department of Education. Providing the keynote was Valerie Rodriguez, a 2005 O’Melveny Scholar, who discussed how the Scholarship Program has changed her life path by enabling her to overcome her family’s traditional view towards women and education and providing the financial resources for her to attend college. Arlene Dominguez, Program Director, Office of Strategic Partnerships for the New York City Department of Education, also delivered inspiring words at the event.

Fifteen eleventh-grade students, three from public high schools in each of the five New York City boroughs, were selected through an application and interview process based on grade point average, attendance, enrollment in college preparatory classes, financial need, and community involvement. Five of the O’Melveny Scholars - one per high school - received a scholarship of $6,000 for each consecutive year of their college education. The ten remaining scholars each received $1,000 upon graduating high school.

The O’Melveny & Myers Scholarship Awards in New York were established in 2003 to encourage high school juniors demonstrating uncompromising excellence, distinctive leadership, and a commitment to community service to continue to excel and realize their dream of attending college. Since the program’s inception, nearly $1 million has been awarded to New York City public high school students. In 2007, O’Melveny & Myers implemented a mentoring program in which the Firm’s lawyers are paired with each of the 15 scholarship and grant recipients, and assist the scholars during their college selection program while building a positive relationship.