BALTIMORE -- An emotional and powerful moment took place on Friday night at Camden Yards, and it was one that Amina Rice and her family didn’t see coming.
During the third inning of the Blue Jays-Orioles game, Rice -- a graduating eighth-grade student at Harlem Park Elementary Middle School in Baltimore -- became the inaugural recipient of the Birdland Next Up Scholarship, as she learned via an announcement inside the ballpark. She is set to attend Western High School in the fall, and once she graduates from there, she will get a full ride to college.
The scholarship was awarded in conjunction from the O’s and the CollegeBound Foundation and also continued the Orioles’ partnership with Harlem Park, which became paired with the team as part of its Adopt-A-School program in April 2024.
Rice has consistently earned A’s and B’s during her time at Harlem Park while maintaining a 3.67 GPA. She has shown a strong interest in social studies, and away from the classroom, she has been a member of the school’s track team.
The Orioles chose Rice as the recipient because of her “discipline, work ethic and relentless drive” that inspire the people around her, as well as her ability to steadily demonstrate “what it means to compete with heart.”
“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,” O’s president of business operations Catie Griggs said in a statement. “We look forward to cheering Amina on in her educational journey.”
The Birdland Next Up Scholarship was created to recognize and support Harlem Park students as they take another step toward college, leadership and success in life.
“We are so grateful to the Orioles for investing in Harlem Park students and their futures,” CollegeBound Foundation executive director Cassie Motz said in a statement. “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.”