The George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy has announced the establishment of the High Achievement Scholarship Program, made possible by a $20,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation. Up to ten scholarships will be awarded for the first time this year to high school seniors who have served as volunteer tutors with the Learning Academy. The recipients of the scholarships must also have an excellent academic record and demonstrate evidence of their leadership skills within the school and the community.

The first 2005 scholarship awards will be presented at the Learning Academy's closing ceremonies on Saturday, May 7, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Susan Butta, Vice President of Verizon Maryland, will present the scholarship awards at the Learning Academy's Springbrook High School Center. Dr. Marcia Wilson, Center Director at Springbrook High School; Dr. George B. Thomas, Sr., President and Chairman of the Learning Academy; Dr. Frieda K. Lacey, Deputy Superintendent of Schools; and Donald Kress, Chief School Performance Officer, will participate in the ceremony.

The George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy, which meets on Saturday mornings at ten high school sites, is a tutoring and mentoring program for students in Grades 1 through 12. The mission of the program is to accelerate students' mastery of academics, specifically reading, language arts, and mathematics. The Learning Academy has been in existence since 1986 and has a well-established partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools.