Brown names two City of Providence Scholars for the Class of 2002

Adeola Oredola of Central High School and Vadim Slavin of Classical High School were recently named City of Providence Scholars for the Brown Class of 2002. They will receive financial support throughout their four years at the University.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Two Providence public high school graduates have been named City of Providence Scholars for the Class of 2002 and will receive financial support throughout their four years at Brown University. Central High School graduate Adeola Oredola and Classical High School graduate Vadim Slavin will receive scholarships drawn from a $2-million endowment set aside by the University for graduates of the city's public high schools.

The scholarship program emphasizes Brown's commitment to supporting talented applicants from local schools. Established in 1991, the program provides two scholars in each class with financial support throughout their four years at Brown. Through the program, the University has been able to attract a greater number of talented Providence public high school graduates who are able to meet Brown's academic challenges but could not otherwise afford to attend Brown. The scholarship is based on financial need and covers a portion of the student's financial aid package. (The total cost for the 1998-99 school year, including tuition, room, board and all fees, will be $31,060.)

Oredola and Slavin are among seven students from Classical and Central high schools who will be entering Brown in the fall. "Brown has always been very lucky to attract wonderful students from Providence," said Director of Admission Michael Goldberger. "This scholarship allows the University to recognize two of those each year.

Oredola was the recipient of the President's Award for Outstanding Youth Community Service in 1997, testimony to her volunteer efforts involving groups of all ages. Her experience includes serving on the Rhode Island Commission for National and Community Service, a board that grants millions of dollars to community service projects and is made up of only two youths and 15 adults; Student Advocates for a Nonviolent Environment, a youth group at Central High School that helps resolve problems among students; and Green Circle, a teen group that teaches inclusion, respect and caring to local third graders.

Oredola is extremely "self-directed," said guidance counselor Ray Bilodeau. During the summers, she participated in activities such as Anytown Rhode Island, a series of intense training on diversity and community building, and the Pre-College Enrichment Program at Brown. At Central, she was a Science Olympian and served on the Student Faculty Senate and Future Business Leaders of America.

Both Oredola and Slavin won the Brown University Book Award for Academic Achievement in 1997.

Slavin, originally from the former Soviet Union, was a member of the varsity soccer and tennis teams at Classical High School and an avid ballroom dancer outside of school, having won numerous awards around the region. He was co-captain of the math team and attended Brown Summer High School in 1995. Slavin speaks Russian, Ukrainian and English and has written articles for Vestnik, a community newspaper founded by Russian students at Brown. He has also volunteered at the Attleboro Enterprises for the mentally disabled.

"He is naturally brilliant and does exceptionally well," said Louis Toro, Classical High School guidance director. "He has a very, very pleasant personality... he is just a real good kid."

Other Providence Scholars currently enrolled at Brown include Julia DaCruz '99 (Central High School), Ewa Romaszewicz '99 (Classical High School), Di Wang '00 (Classical High School), Mickayel Mkrtchian '00 (Central High School), Ana Almeida '01 (Central High School), and Joel Acevedo '01 (Hope High School).

This year, Brown received a record 15,485 applicants of which 2,631 were admitted.