Washington alumni group sets another new record, presents scholarships to 36 grads Thirty-six scholarships presented as MPS grads earn record $31+ million in scholarships, up $7 million from the prior year

Two years after presenting its largest ever number of scholarships, the Washington High School Alumni Scholarship Foundation set another record Wednesday, July 16, 2014.
The alumni group awarded 31 scholarships to 2014 graduates of Milwaukee Public Schools’ Washington High School of Information Technology, up from the previous record of 29 in 2012. The $1,000 scholarships can be used at any college or university. Another five students received scholarships aimed at covering part of the cost of their second year of higher education as the group seeks to make such scholarships a permanent addition to its program.
The foundation’s new record comes as MPS’ Class of 2014 graduates have earned a district record $31 million in scholarships, up about $7 million from the Class of 2013.
Generous donations from Washington alumni fund the scholarships.
“It absolutely feels wonderful to be able to send these students off to their next level of education because they are our future,” said scholarship foundation co-chair Marlene Widen, a 1951 Washington grad.
Her husband and co-chair Len Widen, Washington class of 1947, said that as a graduate, he feels that the scholarships are “the least that we can do to try to help these students succeed,” noting that many face challenges on their path to success.
Milwaukee Board of School Directors members Mark Sain, a Washington graduate, and Annie Woodward, whose district includes the high school, attended the event along with MPS Acting Superintendent Darienne Driver.
Milwaukee Public Schools is honored to recognize the hard work of our graduates and the families and educators who have supported them. And we continue to be proud of and grateful for the support Washington graduates provide to the school’s newest alumni!