LANSDOWNE, VA – The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has named Andréj Klema of Ellicott City, MD, among 43 current Cooke Young Scholars who are continuing to receive the organization’s comprehensive educational advising and financial support as Cooke College Scholars this fall. Through the Cooke College Scholarship Program, the Foundation provides Scholars with up to $55,000 per year for up to four years to complete a bachelor’s degree. Cooke Scholars also have access to opportunities for internships, study abroad, and a thriving community of motivated peers.
Andréj Klema is currently a first-year student at Webb Institute, where he is working towards earning his dual bachelor of science degree in naval architecture and marine engineering. In addition to his studies, Andréj is his class president, and a member of the Anchor Club (Webb’s Christian Community), Offshore Sailing, and Soccer teams.
“Webb is everything I wanted from college and more so,” Andréj comments, “Webb’s size makes the community much more like a family than what I had in high school. In addition, I enjoy how we all know what we are studying. No one is undecided on what their major is. People at Webb are here for the right reasons. We know that the primary point of college is education. Everything else is necessary, but secondary. I strongly encourage any aspiring engineer who is looking for a close, tightly knit community in college to look into Webb, even if you are not dead set on marine engineering at this point. The advantages of a small, self-governed student body are something that you really have to be here to experience.”
For winter work term, Webb’s internship program that takes place during January and February every year, Andréj is planning on working at General Dynamics Electric Boat where he is hoping to learn the real-life skills that will help prepare him for a career as an Engineering Officer in the U.S. Navy or U.S. Coast Guard. Andréj believes that “this career fits me well and helps me live William Webb’s legacy of service back to the community.”
Andréj and the other Cooke Young Scholars, each entered the Cooke Young Scholars Program during their 8th grade year. Together, they have attended summer programs on college campuses and participated in enrichment programs in cities such as Athens, Greece, and Washington, DC.
Each Cooke Young Scholar and their family also work one-on-one with an educational adviser to create an individualized learning plan and maximize their high school experience. Members of this cohort have founded and led organizations, won regional and national academic competitions, published their works, been chosen as captains of teams, and conducted research at the collegiate level.
“It’s been an honor to support these Scholars in their journey to academic success–especially after such a year of unprecedented change and challenges,” said Executive Director Seppy Basili. “We are excited to see the achievements of such bright students unfold as they complete college and move into meaningful careers.”
The Cooke Young Scholars Program serves as a pathway to the Foundation’s prestigious College Scholarship; that application is also open to high school seniors each fall.
The names of the Cooke College Scholars from the Young Scholars Program can be found here, listed along with the states and high schools they represent.
About the Jack Cooke Foundation
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded over $230 million in scholarships to more than 2,930 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive educational advising and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $119.5 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org
For more information, please contact:
Julia Nelson at 571-799-8067 or gro.fckj@aidem