RTA Senior accepts $250 scholarship from the Tishe Foundation

On Friday, February 28, 2025, Rebecca Turner Academy senior Odary Wright accepted a scholarship award for $250 from the Tishe Foundation for demonstrating exceptional character and hard work in high school. Tisheema Brown, CEO and Founder of the Tishe Foundation, visited RTA to deliver the award and discuss all the exciting things he will be doing post-graduation. 

Established in 2020, the Tishe Foundation has awarded high school students the financial support they need to cover the costs of transitioning into post-secondary education, which can become costly. Students are encouraged to use the scholarship money to cover transportation, books and materials for their first semester in college. 

If students fulfilled the requirements, they were prompted to write a 250-word essay or create artwork that described why they felt they should be awarded the scholarship. Odary described in his essay that after receiving these funds, he will use the money to finish his trade program and expand his education and skills at an educational institution. 

The Tishe Foundation has also given a matching award of $250 to the Rebecca Turner Academy. 

“I look for students who put forth consistent effort and that are striving to do more for themselves,” said Ms. Brown. 

Ms. Brown is a Mount Vernon native who understands the need for financing toward post-secondary education and believes it is important to encourage the students and let them know there are people in the community who believe in them. 

Troy Newbey, principal of RTA, stood by Odary’s side as he accepted this award from the foundation. Odary is a mid-year graduate who has seamlessly transitioned into the Westchester Educational Oppurtunity Center, which provides tuition-free developmental, educational and vocational training programs to students in pursuit of higher education. Through this program, he is earning a certificate in Armed Security. After this program ends, Odary has an opportunity lined up where he will train to become an HVAC systems engineer. 

“I feel grateful,” said Odary. “I am so grateful for this scholarship. I thank Ms. Brown and Mr. Newby for helping me with the process and showing that people care about students like me.”