Scholarship Recipients
2014 Recipient:
Nijal Ferguson '14
Nijal Ferguson ’14 is the inaugural recipient of the Donald Graves ’49 Memorial Scholarship, which is an award put together by JDH Libros and sponsored by #imgooglin, SceneTap, the Oakland A’s, the San Jose Sharks, and the San Jose Giants (San Francisco Giants’ minor league team) just to name a few. As a graduating senior of Bellarmine College Preparatory High School in San Jose, CA, Nijal will be working towards ultimately following in the footsteps of his former military serving grandparents next Fall at a feeder prep school, United States Military Academy Preparatory School. Aside from his aspiration of becoming an officer in the U.S. Armed Services, he has been quite the leader in the African-American community at Bellarmine during his four years. Since his inception into Bellarmine he has been very involved with the African-American Student Union, a member of the school’s football and track teams, along with allowing time for his ROTC commitments and his passion for community service. Last, but certainly not least, Nijal will be the first in his family to graduate from a 4 year college and plans to earn his degree in computer science.
“I plan to live my life as ‘A Man for Others’ by serving our great country and someday soon starting a local charity for wounded soldiers and their families.” –Nijal Ferguson ‘14
On May 25th, 2014 at 1pm during the San Jose Giants game Nijal will be honored for his great achievements and his admirable aspirations. To join him for this celebration please click here.
For more information about how you can help aid The Donald Graves’ 49 Memorial Scholarship Fund please click here.
“I plan to live my life as ‘A Man for Others’ by serving our great country and someday soon starting a local charity for wounded soldiers and their families.” –Nijal Ferguson ‘14
On May 25th, 2014 at 1pm during the San Jose Giants game Nijal will be honored for his great achievements and his admirable aspirations. To join him for this celebration please click here.
For more information about how you can help aid The Donald Graves’ 49 Memorial Scholarship Fund please click here.
2015 RECIPIENT:
Rohan Martin '15
Rohan Martin ‘15 is the second recipient of the Dr. Donald Graves ’49 Memorial Scholarship. As a graduating senior of Bellarmine College Preparatory High School in San Jose, CA, Rohan will attend the University of Southern California. During his time at Bellarmine he has been a true leader. Since his first day at Bellarmine he has been very involved with the African-American Student Union, the football team, rugby team, and being chosen from a select few to be a Presidential Ambassador, all while allowing time to over achieve in his community service duties. Rohan Martin is undecided in is major, but his strong leadership skills will allow him to be a true standout in the USC Community.
“If it were not for Bellarmine and its staff I would not have had this much success the last four years. It comes down to the atmosphere at bell. Every last teacher cares about there students.“-Rohan Martin ‘15
“I have many great memories from my four years involved with Bellarmine's AASU, but one memory that stands out is the annual retreat my senior year. Now that it was my second year as president I knew how to run the show much better, everything ran smoothly and it was one of our best retreats in years. It felt great to step back and see everybody having a good time and bonding throughout the night.“-Rohan Martin ‘15
“One of the main reasons why I chose to attend USC in the fall is that it felt similar to Bellarmine while walking around campus and sitting in classrooms. That atmosphere will hopefully help me continue living the same way I do while attending bell. I hope to continue my involvement in all the organizations I am currently in once I go to USC as well as continue to participate in service. I hope this eventually includes a semester abroad.“-Rohan Martin ‘15
“If it were not for Bellarmine and its staff I would not have had this much success the last four years. It comes down to the atmosphere at bell. Every last teacher cares about there students.“-Rohan Martin ‘15
“I have many great memories from my four years involved with Bellarmine's AASU, but one memory that stands out is the annual retreat my senior year. Now that it was my second year as president I knew how to run the show much better, everything ran smoothly and it was one of our best retreats in years. It felt great to step back and see everybody having a good time and bonding throughout the night.“-Rohan Martin ‘15
“One of the main reasons why I chose to attend USC in the fall is that it felt similar to Bellarmine while walking around campus and sitting in classrooms. That atmosphere will hopefully help me continue living the same way I do while attending bell. I hope to continue my involvement in all the organizations I am currently in once I go to USC as well as continue to participate in service. I hope this eventually includes a semester abroad.“-Rohan Martin ‘15
2016 RECIPIENT:
Todd Obilor '16
Todd Obilor '16, the former Vice President and Minister of Education for the Bellarmine Black Student Union, will attend Gonzaga University in the Fall as the third recipient of the Dr. Donald Graves '49 Memorial Scholarship. In his first year he plans to join their Black Student Union, campus ministry programs, community service organizations, and possibly theatre, all while beginning his major in Biochemistry.
"For two years, I was a member of the Big Brother Program at Bellarmine, in which upperclassmen mentor Freshmen throughout their first year of high school. I really enjoyed giving back to the new members of the Bellarmine Community."- Todd Obilor '16
"I will miss the friends I made here [Bellarmine] the most. I definitely will look back to the relationships I have made as my greatest accomplishment at Bellarmine because I came in from my middle school only knowing about five people. And now, I feel as if I have made lifelong friendships."- Todd Obilor '16
"It means so much to me that I was able to accomplish so much as a member of the Bellarmine community. And I look forward to continuing to live my life as a 'man with and for others' in the future." - Todd Obilor '16
"For two years, I was a member of the Big Brother Program at Bellarmine, in which upperclassmen mentor Freshmen throughout their first year of high school. I really enjoyed giving back to the new members of the Bellarmine Community."- Todd Obilor '16
"I will miss the friends I made here [Bellarmine] the most. I definitely will look back to the relationships I have made as my greatest accomplishment at Bellarmine because I came in from my middle school only knowing about five people. And now, I feel as if I have made lifelong friendships."- Todd Obilor '16
"It means so much to me that I was able to accomplish so much as a member of the Bellarmine community. And I look forward to continuing to live my life as a 'man with and for others' in the future." - Todd Obilor '16
2017 RECIPIENT:
Kelvin "KJ" Lee '17
KJ '17, the former President for the Bellarmine Black Student Union, will attend Santa Clara University in the Fall as the fourth recipient of the Dr. Donald Graves '49 Memorial Scholarship. In his first year at SCU he plans to join their Black Student Union and continue his passion for community service.
"Bellarmine has prepared me well for the real world. I believe the teachers, students, and opportunities at Bellarmine have allowed me to find my passion for helping people and have shaped my life to become the leader I am today."- KJ Lee '17
"My favorite memories from the BSU have been the barbecues and the overnight retreats. With so much going on in my life, it was always great to wind down and hang around the different black families and students from school. Every single barbecue was exciting. There was always good food, great conversation and an adjustable basketball rim for all of us to posterize people on." -KJ Lee'17
"For the rest of my life I plan on continuing my job of being a man for others." -KJ Lee '17
"Bellarmine has prepared me well for the real world. I believe the teachers, students, and opportunities at Bellarmine have allowed me to find my passion for helping people and have shaped my life to become the leader I am today."- KJ Lee '17
"My favorite memories from the BSU have been the barbecues and the overnight retreats. With so much going on in my life, it was always great to wind down and hang around the different black families and students from school. Every single barbecue was exciting. There was always good food, great conversation and an adjustable basketball rim for all of us to posterize people on." -KJ Lee'17
"For the rest of my life I plan on continuing my job of being a man for others." -KJ Lee '17
2018 RECIPIENT:
Emmanuel Ngbemeneh '18
Emmanuel Ngbemeneh '18, the Minister of Education of the Bellarmine Black Student Union, will attend Harvard University in the Fall as the fifth recipient of the Dr. Donald Graves '49 Memorial Scholarship. In his first year at Harvard he plans to join an organization to fulfill his passion for community service.
"I will continue to live my life as a 'man for others' in both my life during college as well as in the career I hope to pursue. I plan to commit to service in college as well as orient my dream career as a politician around service. Eventually, I also hope to create my own non-profit organization to improve education in developing countries." -Emmanuel Ngbemeneh '18
"I believe Bellarmine has helped me become a person oriented around service and motivated by social justice. Bellarmine helped give me many resources to be part of organizations that seek to set the world on fire and and opportunities to commit acts of service both in my local and global communities." -Emmanuel Ngbemeneh '18
"I will continue to live my life as a 'man for others' in both my life during college as well as in the career I hope to pursue. I plan to commit to service in college as well as orient my dream career as a politician around service. Eventually, I also hope to create my own non-profit organization to improve education in developing countries." -Emmanuel Ngbemeneh '18
"I believe Bellarmine has helped me become a person oriented around service and motivated by social justice. Bellarmine helped give me many resources to be part of organizations that seek to set the world on fire and and opportunities to commit acts of service both in my local and global communities." -Emmanuel Ngbemeneh '18
2019 RECIPIENT:
KEANU LEE '19
Keanu Lee '19, the former president of the Black Student Union at Bellarmine , will attend DePaul University in the Fall as the sixth recipient of the Dr. Donald Graves '49 Memorial Scholarship. He is also the younger brother of the 4th scholarship recipient, KJ Lee '17.
"Bellarmine allowed me to mature into a young man while enjoying the prime of my teenage years." -Keanu Lee '19
"I plan on continuing my life as a 'man for others' by working with kids with special needs and spreading positivity to everyone I meet." -Keanu Lee '19
"One memory that stood out to me from BSU was hearing alumni talk about their successes. Hearing this early in my high school career really motivated me to excel both inside and outside the classroom, so I can become a successful Black man myself."-Keanu Lee '19
"Bellarmine allowed me to mature into a young man while enjoying the prime of my teenage years." -Keanu Lee '19
"I plan on continuing my life as a 'man for others' by working with kids with special needs and spreading positivity to everyone I meet." -Keanu Lee '19
"One memory that stood out to me from BSU was hearing alumni talk about their successes. Hearing this early in my high school career really motivated me to excel both inside and outside the classroom, so I can become a successful Black man myself."-Keanu Lee '19
2020 RECIPIENT:
CONSTANTIJIN COLE '20
Constantijin Cole '20, the former president of the Black Student Union at Bellarmine, three year varsity basketball player, two year varsity track athlete and participant in countless service trips will attend the University of Norte Dame in the Fall as the seventh recipient of the Dr. Donald Graves '49 Memorial Scholarship.
"I believe that Bellarmine has helped me find myself. It has helped me take pride in being entirely unique." -Constantijin Cole '20
"Some of the memories that stood out to me during my time at Bellarmine were all the BSU retreats, and the global cultural events this year."-Constantijin Cole '20
"I believe that Bellarmine has helped me find myself. It has helped me take pride in being entirely unique." -Constantijin Cole '20
"Some of the memories that stood out to me during my time at Bellarmine were all the BSU retreats, and the global cultural events this year."-Constantijin Cole '20
2021 RECIPIENT:
IAN DA SILVA '21
Ian da Silva '21, the former president of the Black Student Union at Bellarmine, 2.5 year Robotics Engineer and 4 year Long Jumper will attend Cal Poly SLO in the Fall as the eighth recipient of the Dr. Donald Graves '49 Memorial Scholarship.
"My favorite memory from the BSU was definitely our overnight retreats - were we meet with alumni and grew our brotherhood/built our network." -Ian da Silva '21
"The people that I met and the memories that I made from them have had a huge impact on my Bellarmine experience and I couldn't imagine my life without them."-Ian da Silva '21
"My favorite memory from the BSU was definitely our overnight retreats - were we meet with alumni and grew our brotherhood/built our network." -Ian da Silva '21
"The people that I met and the memories that I made from them have had a huge impact on my Bellarmine experience and I couldn't imagine my life without them."-Ian da Silva '21
2022 RECIPIENT:
MILES BRYSON '22
Miles Bryson '22, the star Varsity soccer player and Symphonic and Pep Band member will attend Brown University in the Fall as the nineth recipient of the Dr. Donald Graves '49 Memorial Scholarship.
"My favorite memory from the BSU our overnight retreat -during this retreat we were each asked to put together a presentation on our black ancestry." -Miles Bryson '22
"Bellarmine CSP has really taught me to love service and giving back to the community around me, and I plan to continue my service in college and beyond. I, also, plan to be a 'man for others' in my everyday life, by continuing to be a kind and caring person ; stepping up as a leader whenever I can." -Miles Bryson '22
"My favorite memory from the BSU our overnight retreat -during this retreat we were each asked to put together a presentation on our black ancestry." -Miles Bryson '22
"Bellarmine CSP has really taught me to love service and giving back to the community around me, and I plan to continue my service in college and beyond. I, also, plan to be a 'man for others' in my everyday life, by continuing to be a kind and caring person ; stepping up as a leader whenever I can." -Miles Bryson '22
2023 RECIPIENT:
PHILIP MILLER '23
Philip Miller '23, the outstanding captain and scholar athlete in both football & track will attend the University of Southern California in the Fall as the tenth recipient of the Dr. Donald Graves '49 Memorial Scholarship.
"As life goes on, I hope to embody the term 'man for others' by remaining humble and sharing my gifts with others." -Philip Miller '23
"As life goes on, I hope to embody the term 'man for others' by remaining humble and sharing my gifts with others." -Philip Miller '23