Youngstown's newest OSU scholars introduced

YOUNGSTOWN — A dozen city sixth-graders have made a long-term commitment to their academic future.

The 12 students have been named members of the Class of 2009 Pre-Young Scholars, a program run by Ohio State University.

If they fulfill certain academic and performance requirements over the next six years, they will be granted admission to the university upon graduation from high school. The Young Scholars Program will pick up the entire tab of their education, provided they maintain a 2.5 grade-point average at OSU, said Bernice Faseyitan, coordinator of the program for the city school district.

Right now, that’s worth $24,000 a year, she said.

That group includes low-income, inner-city children from Ohio’s largest urban school districts who are nominated by teachers, principals and guidance counselors.

It’s a competitive selection process open only to first-generation college-bound students who are accepted as they begin seventh grade.

The participants must sign agreements covering what will be expected of them and what they can expect from the university.

The Class of 2009 was introduced at the city school board meeting Tuesday, and the five graduating seniors who are members of the Class of 2003 were recognized as well.

All five say they will enroll at OSU this fall.

For the full story and the names of the newest scholars, see Wednesday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.