The Detroit Pistons 'Dream Big' Celebrating Black History Month with $20,000 in Scholarship Awards From the Come Together Foundation
Online Statewide Scholarship Competition Awards $2500
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Four high school seniors received $20,000 in scholarships today awarded by the Come Together Foundation at the Detroit Pistons ninth annual Black History Month program and “Dream Big Detroit” scholarship competition, hosted by Pistons Legend Rick Mahorn and sponsored by Tim Horton’s and Humana at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
The $10,000 grand prize winner, Hillary Wiley from Pontiac High School, competed along with seven other finalists from East English Village Preparatory Academy, Detroit School of Arts, Cesar Chavez Academy and Loyola High School, all in Detroit; Hamtramck High School in Hamtramck; and Carman Ainsworth High School and Northwestern High School, both in Flint. Cameron Edwards from Carman Ainsworth received the second place $5,000 scholarship; Alexus Hatcher from East English Village Preparatory Academy and Demitrius Heard from Loyola High School received the third and fourth place $2,500 scholarships.
Each student presented an original interpretation of this year’s theme -- “DREAM BIG DETROIT: How the BIG DREAMS of those who influenced African-American history will help both Detroit as a community and you – as a conduit- DREAM BIG for the future, and what do those dreams look like?” – in the medium of their choice (spoken word, song, dance, essay, etc.). Wiley, who will attend New York University in the fall to study musical theater, recited an original poem, “Starting Off With the Dream,” sharing her personal aspirations for herself and metro Detroit youth.
Mahorn was joined in judging the competition by: Ray Scott and Earl Cureton, Detroit Pistons Legends; Myra Anderson, mother of Detroit native hip-hop recording artist Big Sean and Sean Anderson Foundation Board Member; Sharon McClendon, WMYD-TV-20 News Assignment and Community Affairs; Naomi Patton, Sr. Dir. of Public Relations, Palace Sports & Entertainment; Charles Chapman, Tim Horton’s Regional Marketing Manager; Gennifer Jeffries, Humana Community Relations Manager; and Shy Averett, Microsoft Community Development and Event Specialist.
The Pistons and the Come Together Foundation will recognize the scholarship winners as Game Changers at the Pistons vs. Atlanta Hawks game at The Palace of Auburn Hills, Feb. 21.
High school seniors statewide can also enter the Pistons online Black History Month essay competition to compete for a $2,500 scholarship, also awarded from and by the Come Together Foundation. Click here to learn more about the scholarship competition rules and details.