The Michigan Chronicle and Talmer Bank and Trust (Talmer Bank), will be co-title sponsors of the new S.W.A.G. Awards (Students Wired for Achievement and Greatness) that will kick-off in October 2015.The S.W.A.G Awards winning recipients will be recognized and receive a scholarship grant in the Spring of 2016. Current high school seniors who are economically disadvantaged, live and attend school in Detroit, are planning to attend college or a trade school, have at least a 2.5 GPA, and have demonstrated a commitment to community, service and integrity are eligible to apply.
“Many scholarship programs are awarded solely based on academic performance, however, the S.W.A.G. awards were specifically created to ensure that more Detroit students that demonstrate leadership in multiple areas, other than grades, have access to scholarships,” said publisher of the Michigan Chronicle Hiram E. Jackson.
The S.W.A.G. Awards’ goal is to build confidence and ensure a better future for Detroit teens, provide a village of support for parents and educators, and together, build strong future community and business leaders. As co-title sponsor of the program, Talmer Bank has helped develop the program and the company will donate at least 15 of the program’s scholarships totaling $25,000.
The 15 scholarships will range from $10,000 to $1,000.
“Talmer Bank is excited to be partnering with the Michigan Chronicle to launch the S.W.A.G Awards in an effort to increase opportunities for Detroit teens and to build new leaders,” said Gary Torgow, chairman of Talmer Bancorp, Inc. “Leadership comes in many forms and three notable qualities of leadership are dedication to community, service to others, and exhibiting integrity. Talmer Bank was built on these same principles so this alliance was a natural fit.”
Any high school senior graduating in the spring/summer of 2016 who is economically disadvantaged and attends a Detroit public, private, or charter school, lives in the city of Detroit and is planning to attend college or a trade school in the fall of 2016 will be eligible to apply when the nomination process begins October 5, 2015.
To win an award, applicants must also fulfill additional criteria to be announced.
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