School leaders run in Disney marathon

Jan. 11, 2010 • 10:12 am

A pair of New Orleans public education leaders have successfully competed in a marathon at Walt Disney World in Florida. The purpose of their run was  to raise money for a new scholarship benefiting prospective college students.

Hugh Hamilton (photo: left), board president of New Beginnings Schools Foundation and Andre Perry, chief executive officer of the Capital One-UNO Charter Network ran the Walt Disney World Marathon on Sunday, January 10, 2010 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in effort to raise money for the New Beginnings Scholarship Program. Hamilton, regional manager for Southeast Louisiana for Capital One Bank, and Perry are seeking donations for the inaugural New Beginnings Scholarship.

Hamilton and Perry created the New Beginnings Scholarship to recognize graduating seniors of Thurgood Marshall-UNO Early College High School who demonstrate the qualities that predict readiness for college success. New Beginnings Scholarships will be awarded to first generation college matriculants who plan to attend the University of New Orleans for his or her first-year year.

Scholarship recipients must show evidence of those traits shown to predict college success: high academic achievement, perseverance, commitment, peer leadership, and positive attitude. Students must also show financial need.

“Running a marathon is a great metaphor for the college experience,” said Hamilton. “Students need to do the necessary training and preparation in order to complete a long and arduous task.”

“Academic credentials only get students in the door. Completing college requires personal character and institutional commitment. The scholarship reflects a small part of the Capital One-UNO Charter Network’s commitment beyond high school,” said Perry.

“We will ask applicants to show evidence of their character. Running a marathon cannot compare to tremendous effort required of first generation college students to complete college. This is a symbolic gesture that we hope will inspire our students.”

“We’ve been training since early spring for this marathon. I want our students to see that any goal can be realized with hard work and support,” said Hamilton.

Donations can be made to the New Beginnings Scholarship Fund.  Checks should be mailed to:

University of New Orleans Foundation
New Beginnings Scholarship Fund
2021 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 307
New Orleans, Louisiana 70122

Phone: 504.280.6443
Fax: 504.280.6453

Click this link to view eligibility guidelines.