Rhode Island Red Sox Scholarship recipients to be introduced at Fenway Park today

Before today’s game at Fenway Park, The Boston Red Sox will introduce the first 10 recipients of the new Rhode Island Red Sox Scholarship Awards program. The Red Sox Foundation funded program, which is in its inaugural year, awards students from 10 public high schools across Rhode Island with $1,000 scholarships towards their college education. One graduating senior from each of the 10 participating high schools is chosen based on academic performance, financial aid eligibility and most importantly, demonstrated community service.

On the field to honor the students will be Rhode Island Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts, Red Sox Principal Owner John W. Henry and his wife Linda Pizzuti Henry, Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner, Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino, and Red Sox Foundation Executive Director and team Senior Vice President Meg Vaillancourt.

“Rhode Island is a vital part of Red Sox Nation,” said Red Sox Foundation Board Member Linda Pizzuti Henry. “We are delighted to honor these college-bound students from the Ocean State, who have not only demonstrated their excellence in the classroom, but embody the values of Red Sox Nation through their commitment to community service. Helping others is at the core of the Red Sox Foundation’s mission, and by honoring these students as role models, we hope we can inspire others to join in service to their communities as well.”

This year’s Rhode Island Red Sox Scholarship Award recipients include:

1. Nadiva Brown, Mount Pleasant High School
2. Daniella DiPaola, Smithfield High School
3. Shannon Donnelly, Portsmouth High School
4. Michael Grenier, North Kingstown High School
5. Hunter Hillman, Chariho High School
6. Ariana Joharjian, Cranston High School West
7. Melinda Maroto, East Providence High School
8. Erin McAlice, South Kingstown High School
9. Jeremy Octeau, Westerly High School
10. Zoé Rogers, Woonsocket High School

The Rhode Island Red Sox Scholarship Program will be funded in part through proceeds from the new Red Sox logoed Rhode Island license plates that were unveiled last year. The Red Sox Foundation recently surpassed the minimum 900 applications required by the state to create the new charity plate, making them available to residents later this summer. All of the charitable proceeds generated by the Red Sox-themed plate are designated to fund the Rhode Island Red Sox Scholarship Award program, which will be expanded to additional Rhode Island public high schools next year.  Rhode Island fans who would like more information about how to order Rhode Island’s Red Sox license plate can visit www.redsoxfoundation.org

In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of the 10 Rhode Island scholarship recipients, the Red Sox will also celebrate the Ocean State throughout Sunday’s game, which has been designated Rhode Island Day at Fenway Park. The pre-game ceremonies, including the National Anthem, the Ceremonial First Pitch, and video board features will also highlight the state of Rhode Island.

About the Red Sox Foundation

The official team charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Red Sox Foundation harnesses the power of Red Sox Nation to support select programs serving at risk children and families across New England. The Foundation’s efforts are primarily focused on our cornerstone programs, including the Red Sox Scholars Program, which provides tutoring, mentoring, enrichment programs, and a college scholarship to academically talented but economically disadvantaged Boston public school students, and the Red Sox Foundation's RBI and Rookie League youth baseball program serving more than 2,000 inner city teens each summer. The team charity also supports the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with combat stress disorders and traumatic brain injury, The Dimock Center in Roxbury, and The Jimmy Fund in support of Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

A 501c3 non-profit, the Red Sox Foundation raises most of its funds through special events and charitable donations. Founded and initially funded by Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry, Chairman Tom Werner, President/CEO Larry Lucchino, and their partners, the Red Sox Foundation has won numerous awards for the impact of its innovative programs. In 2010, the Red Sox Scholars program was recognized by Major League Baseball with the first-ever “MLB Commissioner’s Award for Philanthropic Excellence.” In 2009, the Red Sox Foundation was also honored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Sports Philanthropy Project with the Patterson Award as the nation’s “Best Team Charity in Sports.” The Executive Director of the Red Sox Foundation is the team’s Vice President for Corporate Affairs, Meg Vaillancourt. For more information about the Red Sox Foundation, please visit www.redsoxfoundation.org.