Four Prince George’s County high school seniors will receive $2,500 college scholarships through a memorial fund that recognizes community service over academics or athletics.
The Prince George’s County Association of REALTORS awarded the scholarships through the David and Juanita Maclin Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 2008 to honor the association’s 2006 president and his wife.
“Unlike traditional academic or athletic scholarships, these are given based on the students’ local community service efforts,” said Donald Frederick, chair of the scholarship committee.
This year’s recipients were selected from 33 applicants based on essays describing “How I Made a Difference in My Community.” The winners demonstrated service ranging from life-saving efforts to educational initiatives on healthy eating and food insecurity, student mentoring, creating inclusive environments for children with special needs, organizing donations for underserved youth, founding a medical science club for underrepresented students, and developing neurodiversity and mental health programs in schools.
The 2024 scholarship recipients are:
- Bryanna Champion of Oxon Hill High School, who plans to attend Xavier University of Louisiana.
- Laila Jefferson of Riverdale Baptist School, who plans to attend Howard University.
- Timeera Niles of Suitland High School, who plans to attend Towson University.
- Chelsea Onuekwusi of Eleanor Roosevelt High School, who plans to attend Columbia University.
David Maclin served as president of the Prince George’s County Association of REALTORS in 2006. He and his wife Juanita contributed to the county’s economic development and supported area churches’ growth. Their community involvement earned them numerous awards and recognitions before their deaths.
Since the scholarship fund’s creation, it has provided more than $142,000 to graduating county high school students.
