Jeannemarie Halleck FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2014 Phone: 503.224.4424 Email:
[email protected] MADISON STUDENT RECEIVES RIDGLEY SCHOLARSHIP On Wednesday, the stage in the Madison High School auditorium was packed with the class of 2014 in their red graduation gowns for the annual Senior Awards Presentation, when Michael Larios-‐Graves was awarded the Bob and Marilyn Ridgley Classroom Law Project Scholarship. The scholarship, which totals $8000 toward college tuition, was presented of behalf of Bob and Marilyn Ridgley by Classroom Law Project Executive Director, Marilyn Cover, and a member of the Board of Directors, John Casey. Michael Larios-‐Graves, one of five valedictorians in the Madison High School class of 2014 and an appointee to the National Honors Society with a 4.0 GPA, was a member of Madison’s We the People Constitution Team. Larios-‐Graves was chosen to receive the scholarship for his demonstrated appreciation for the rule of law, civic virtue and democratic values, and for his outstanding academic record. In his address to Madison’s incoming senior class, Larios-‐Graves emphasized the importance of mentoring younger students, an integral part of his life. Along with the Bob and Marilyn Ridgley Classroom Law Scholarship, Larios-‐Graves also received other accolades, including the University of Portland President’s Award and an Oregon State Academic Award. Larios-‐Graves intends to start at the University of Portland this fall. Oregon seniors who were eligible for the Bob and Marilyn Ridgley Classroom Law Scholarship had participated in a Classroom Law Project program such as Mock Trial, We the People, or Project Citizen. Further, they embodied the mission of Classroom Law Project, had a strong academic background, demonstrated appropriate financial need, and planned to attend a college or University in the fall. Larios-‐Graves was chosen out of a pool of over thirty highly qualified candidates from across Oregon. Bob and Marilyn Ridgley are co-‐founders of Classroom Law Project. Bob attended Cornell University and then Harvard Law School. Marilyn graduated from Cornell University with a teaching degree. Both their scholastic experiences helped them to develop their interest in volunteering and giving back to the community. As champions of Classroom Law Project, the State of Oregon and its youth, they established this generous scholarship for Oregon high school students. On behalf of Bob and Marilyn Ridgley, the board of directors and staff, Classroom Law Project offers our sincerest congratulations to this outstanding young scholar.
About Classroom Law Project: Established in 1983, Classroom Law Project brings vital and engaging civics and law-‐related education programs into Oregon schools, teaching students the values and skills essential to being an active and engaged citizen. Each year, Classroom Law Project programs involve and inspire over 400 teachers and 25,000 students from 250 schools in 75 Oregon communities.
Classroom Law Project Board of Directors member John Casey, Classroom Law Project Executive Director Marilyn Cover and 2014 Bob and Marilyn Ridgley Classroom Law Project Scholarship winner Michael Larios-‐Graves. Bob and Marilyn Ridgley, co-‐founders of Classroom Law Project.
