Ram Slam Scholarship recipients awarded at VCU halftime basketball game

By Lindsay McClaire
University News Services

Six Richmond Public School students have each received $1,500 Ram Slam scholarships to help them receive a college education.

The Ram Slam scholarship program was established in 1998 by Domenic Sica, M.D., Virginia Commonwealth University professor of internal medicine and nephrology. Sica and VCU President Eugene P. Trani recognized the recipients at center court during half time of a VCU basketball game.

“It is my belief that we need to invest in our youth, which is the greatest resource we have in this country,” said Sica. “There are many deserving young adults who cannot make it to school because of the finances of attending and these scholarships are one way of getting them started.”

Receiving scholarships were seniors Jasmine Alston of George Wythe High School, Kiara N. Burroughs and Barbaratta D. Whitaker of Armstrong High School, Jessica Nicole Frazier of Franklin Military Academy, Martine Jackson of Huguenot High School and Sierra Kelly of Richmond Community High School.

The students submitted their scholarship applications directly to Sica, who reviewed them, selected the recipients and personally funded the scholarships. Sica has funded 48 Ram Slam scholarships since the program’s inception.

“This scholarship fund has been recognized several times by Richmond City Public Schools and the school board for its impact on so many deserving students,” he said.