GW announced nine full-tuition Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholarships to D.C. public school seniors, including three students from the School Without Walls. The awards will total more than $155,000 each over four years.

The scholarships were given to Berhanu Feyssa of Bell Multicultural High School; Durriyyah Johnson and Green Miller III of Benjamin Banneker High School; Janet McFadden of Calvin Coolidge High School; Kahina Robinson of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts; Christian Washington of Woodrow Wilson High School; and Gareth Edwards, Anaid Gonzalez and May-Mei Lee of the School Without Walls.

GW evaluates students based on their class rank, SAT scores, courses, teacher recommendations, community service and other achievements.

“Approximately 40 to 43 students are nominated each year for the award by their guidance counselors,” said Sammie Robinson, associate director of admissions. “Basically, we look at the top students from D.C. schools so that the rest of our students can learn from them. Diversity is part of it.”

The three School Without Walls students chosen said they applied to GW because they are comfortable with the campus.

Senior Gareth Edwards said he decided to apply after attending summer classes at GW, which are free to School Without Walls students. They can also apply the courses to future college credits.

Senior Anaid Gonzalez said she applied to GW because she grew up in Mexico City and D.C. Gonzalez said she likes living in a city and the diverse GW campus.

May-Mei Lee, a senior, said she applied to GW because she already feels comfortable on campus. She has also interned at the Red Cross and Smithsonian and hopes to study music.

GW has awarded $8 million dollars since the program began 13 years ago.
-Amanda Mantone