From left to right, Rachel Greenhow (Marisa’s mother), Todd Martin (GRASP President & CEO), Marisa Greenhow (2022 “Richmond 34” scholarship recipient), Marlon Greenhow (Marisa’s father), and Marvin Allen (Marisa’s brother). Marisa graduated from Charles City County High School and currently attends Virginia State University.
Photo credit Patricia Gordon
Richmond, VA – The Richmond Flying Squirrels, in collaboration with GRASP (Great Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc.), established the Richmond 34 scholarship in 2022 to commemorate the “Richmond 34” (Virginia Union University students) who led a peaceful sit-in at the “whites only” lunch counter at Thalhimers Department Store in downtown Richmond in 1960. The “Richmond 34” sit-in ultimately led to the integration of Thalhimers and influenced legislation in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. To celebrate the legacy of the “Richmond 34”, Flying Squirrels Charities awards a $5,000 scholarship each year to a student from the Greater Richmond area attending either Virginia Union University or Virginia State University. The 2023 scholarship application is now open with a deadline of May 31, 2023.
GRASP, a career and college access organization, provides FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completion assistance FREE of charge through its GRASP Advisors working at more than 110 schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia (https://grasp4va.org/grasp-schools). Meeting with a GRASP Advisor and completion of the FAFSA are among several of the “Richmond 34” scholarship application requirements. Eligible applicants must attend public or private high schools or home schools located in Ashland, Charles City, Chesterfield County, Goochland County, Hanover County, Henrico County, New Kent County, Powhatan County, or Richmond City. If the applicant attends a public high school, contact the high school counseling department to set up an appointment with a GRASP advisor. If the applicant attends a private school or is home schooled, contact GRASP at advising@grasp4va.org or 804-923-0059 to set up an appointment.
The scholarship application is available here
The scholarship is awarded at a Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball game during the summer.
Photo credit Patricia Gordon
