Student surprised with full-ride scholarship during special in-game ballpark-wide moment
As part of an emotional and powerful in-game moment during tonight’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Orioles and the Orioles Charitable Foundation, in partnership with CollegeBound Foundation, surprised AMINA RICE, a graduating eighth-grade student from Harlem Park Elementary Middle School, the club’s Adopt-A-School, with a full-ride college scholarship.
Rice, the inaugural recipient of “The Birdland Next Up Scholarship,” is the definition of growth, resilience, and determination. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence, consistently earning A’s and B’s while maintaining an impressive 3.67 GPA, showing a special interest in social studies. Beyond the classroom, Rice shines as a phenomenal and highly competitive athlete on the track team. Her discipline, work ethic, and relentless drive inspire those around her, and she steadily demonstrates what it means to compete with heart. Whether in academics or athletics, Rice approaches every challenge with courage and determination. Rice looks forward to attending Western High School in the fall.
“This marks an incredible moment with our partners at Harlem Park Elementary Middle School and CollegeBound Foundation to join together and have a tremendous impact on Amina’s education and her long-term future,” shared CATIE GRIGGS, Orioles President of Business Operations. “We look forward to cheering Amina on in her educational journey.”
The Birdland Next Up Scholarship was established to recognize and support outstanding Harlem Park students as they take the next step toward college, leadership, and lifelong success. It was designed to invest in the brilliance, resilience, and potential of Harlem Park students through education, opportunity, mentorship, and community support.
“Congratulations to Amina! We at CollegeBound look forward to continuing to work with you on your journey to and through college. We are so grateful to the Orioles for investing in Harlem Park students and their futures,” said CASSIE MOTZ, Executive Director, The CollegeBound Foundation. “This full-ride college scholarship, coupled with the Orioles’ ongoing major support to Baltimore’s students through college advising and scholarships across the city, is a game changer for Baltimore’s families. Thank you to the Orioles for being an extraordinary community partner.”
The Orioles robust partnership with the Harlem Park community began in April 2024, when the club launched the Adopt-A-School program, which is grounded in the belief that unwavering support and impactful opportunities can play a pivotal role in accelerating student and school success. This allows the Orioles to stand as a committed partner in impacting Harlem Park students’ lives and learning for years to come. For more on the partnership, visit Orioles.com/Community.
About the CollegeBound Foundation: The CollegeBound Foundation, created 38 years ago by a coalition of leaders from the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) and Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (B.U.I.L.D), empowers Baltimore City public school students to successfully pursue and complete a college degree. CollegeBound supports students as early as middle school and continues through high school, college, and into the working world, combining early college awareness, individualized advising, financial support, and sustained mentorship to ensure that students not only enroll in college, but also graduate and thrive. CollegeBound currently has full-time college advisors in almost half of Baltimore’s public high schools and several middle schools, including, thanks to the Orioles’ support, Harlen Park Elementary Middle School. CollegeBound advises about 800 middle school students, 4,000 high school students, and 1,000 college students annually and awards $4 million annually in scholarships to Baltimore City Schools’ graduates. CollegeBound supports a student’s transition to college and entire college experience with our College Completion Program, through which scholars receive intensive in-college advising, as well as a scholarship (up to $5,000 annually). Currently, 155 Orioles Scholars are in CollegeBound’s College Completion Program, which has grown to include over 25% of all Baltimore City Schools’ graduates attending 4-year college with the assistance of a Pell grant. The college graduation rate of students in CollegeBound’s College Completion Program matches the statewide public university graduation rate for students across all income levels.