Three Local High School Graduates Will Receive The Tampa Housing Authority Dr. Margaret Fisher-Housing Hero Scholarship Award For Their Outstanding Commitment to Excellence Through Academic Achievement.

TAMPA (August 13, 2012) -- “Achievement results from work realizing ambition,” Adam Ant (musician). For more than a decade the Tampa Housing Authority has made it a priority to celebrate youth who live in public housing or whose parents are the recipients of the Federal rental assistance program Section 8. Celebrating this academic mile marker in the lives of our young people in spite of their personal hardships and/or triumphs is the reason the Dr. Margaret Fisher-Housing Hero Scholarship Award was created. This year’s award luncheon ceremony and silent auction will take place this Friday, August 17th at the Double Tree Hotel located at 4500 West Cypress Street, Tampa, Fl. 33607. The luncheon will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with the silent auction beginning at the same time. This event is sure to be an afternoon of celebration and ‘happy feelings.’

Although the Tampa Housing Authority serves approximately 500 low income families, the students selected to receive these scholarships have all come from various parts of the city and county. Each recipient is required to apply and provide a series of supportive documents along with letters from guidance counselors and community leaders, attesting to the candidate’s character and community involvement. This year’s recipients like so many before them, have achieved the possible in spite of so many impossible odds. Our recipients have graduated with grade point averages ranging from 4.5 to 3.1 and have currently accepted invitations into higher learning institutions.

“It has always been my desire to help those who have a passion for higher education, but sometimes lack the financial and tangible substance to help get there,” says Lillian Stringer, director of Public Relations. “I was that young person that didn’t think college was for someone like me until a teacher identified my potential and lit a fire under me that was not ever put out. Those that have do and those that do not, get help from us to help make their dreams a reality!”

Our goal from the efforts of this year’s luncheon is to raise approximately $50,000 dollars through our ticket sales and silent auction to support this program moving forward. We have successfully assisted 45 students to-date and have given away $90,000 dollars in total scholarships. Every recipient along with monetary awards is given a set of luggage and laptop with carrying case.

“We believe that assisting young people in our community will essentially provide a dividend that will ultimately help the next generation of young men and women,” says Jerome D. Ryans, president and CEO. “It is our responsibility to make sure that scholarship opportunities like this one continue to flourish and expand.”

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The Housing Authority of the City of Tampa promotes the development and professional management of a variety of affordable housing opportunities, facilities and supportive services to nurture neighborhoods, provide economic development and self-sufficiency activities to residents while also assuring equal access to safe, quality housing for low and moderate income families throughout the community