In an event that turned an ordinary school day into a memorable celebration, Dante Parker, a senior at Renaissance High School, became the proud recipient of the Amazon Future Engineer scholarship. With an exceptional academic record and ambitions for a bright future with the promise of innovation, Dante was awarded $10,000 to further his education in the field of computer science and engineering.

The scholarship was announced on Friday, April 12, 2024, in the midst of cheers and applause from his peers, illustrating their pride in his accomplishment. The Amazon Future Engineer program, celebrated for fostering the next generation of tech leaders, extends financial support to young talents across the nation. Students who aspire to leave their mark in fields such as computer science, electrical engineering, and robotics find this program a stepping stone toward an impactful career.

"I am thrilled to congratulate Dante Parker on winning the prestigious Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship!" said Principal Stroughter of Renaissance High School. "This is a testament to his exceptional talent, dedication, and hard work that he has shown during his four years at our school, earning him the award of class salutatorian."

Reflecting on the essence of the scholarship, Principal Stroughter continued, "As he embarks on his exciting college journey using the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship, I have no doubt that he will continue to achieve great things and make a profound impact in whatever path of engineering that he decides to pursue. His success is well-deserved, and I couldn't be prouder to have him as a member of the Renaissance High School community."

A sentiment echoed by the Deputy Superintendent Alycia Merriweather underlined the holistic value of such scholarships, "The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship combines both the scholarship funding and access to wrap-around support that is so critical for students as they transition to college. A special thank you to Amazon for recognizing and supporting students in DPSCD and across the country with this type of intentionality," said Merriweather.

This scholarship not only helps to lift the financial burden off the shoulders of promising students like Dante but also provides a paid summer internship at Amazon. To qualify for this esteemed scholarship, students uphold a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent) and demonstrates the desire to impact the world positively through their chosen engineering disciplines.

Congratulations, Dante, on blazing a trail of success. May your path forward be illuminated by your remarkable  achievements.

For more information about Renaissance High School and how you can apply, visit https://www.detroitk12.org/renaissance.