Three Boston area teens surprised with scholarships at State House

November 03, 2011|By Matt Rocheleau, Town Correspondent, Globe Staff

Tutu Ekpebor of Roxbury accepts her scholarship from Sun Life Financial… ((Courtesy: Sun Life) )

(Courtesy: Sun Life)

Shelia Reyes of Roxbury explodes into tears, as she is surprised with her Sun Life Rising Star Award.

By Matt Rocheleau, Town Correspondent

Two Roxbury teens and another from Brockton were recently surprised with $5,000 scholarships from a financial services firm at a ceremony in the State House, where three youth-oriented nonprofits were also awarded with $50,000 grants.

Sheila Reyes, of Roxbury, and a student at the Urban Science Academy in West Roxbury; Talyer Lee Sabella, of Brockton, and a student at Southeaster Regional Vocational Technical High School in Easton; and Oluibukon "Tutu" Ekpebor, of Roxbury, and a student at Beacon Academy in Mission Hill were honored by Sun Life Financial Inc.’s Rising Star Awards program, now in its second year.

A youth-oriented nonprofit nominated each student and those three organizations will each receive a $50,000 grant. Reyes was nominated by the Hyde Square Task Force based in Jamaica Plain. Sabella was nominated by School on Wheels of Massachusetts based in Brockton. Ekpebor was nominated by Tenacity based in Allston.

At the awards ceremony, the students and attendees were also treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the State House and a reception recognizing their achievements. Gov. Deval Patrick was unable to attend due to some last-minute scheduling issues, but he and Sen. John Kerry signed citations given to the students are part of their award.

“The Sun Life Rising Star Awards program aims to address low high school graduation rates in large urban school districts by providing financial and educational resources to students and nonprofit organizations committed to increasing success in high school and beyond,” the financial company said in a press release.

The winning Sun Life Rising Star organizations were selected by a five-person judging panel.

For more information on the awards program, visit www.sunliferisingstar.com.

(Courtesy: Sun Life)

Tutu Ekpebor of Roxbury accepts her scholarship from Sun Life Financial President Wes Thompson.