Salesianum to Set Up Scholarship With Money Donated by Parents of Jeff Bezos
This post was originally written by Digital Content Intern Patrick LaPorte. LaPorte is a senior media communications major at the University of Delaware, working as a news and sports reporter for The Review and sports director for 91.3 WVUD at UD.
Salesianum High School received a $12 million dollar donation that will fund scholarships focused on assisting students living in Wilmington and children of immigrants. The school will set up the Rev. James P. Byrne, OSFS Memorial Scholarship, with $10 million of the $12 million donated by Jacklyn and Miguel Bezos. A total of 24 students will receive tuition, along with funding for other costs including books, trips, test fees and prom tickets.
It is with gratitude and excitement that Salesianum announces a historic $12 million gift from Jacklyn & Miguel Bezos '63 to establish the Rev. James P. Byrne, OSFS Scholarship. Learn more about this extraordinary gift and its timeless story here: https://t.co/4fq3x2qWAL pic.twitter.com/BrDUyzrwMJ
— Salesianum School (@Salesianum) June 16, 2021
The scholarship is named after Father Bryne, who ran Casa De Sales, a building on 1300 Broom Street that housed 21 boys that fled Cuba as a part of Delaware’s Operation Pedro Pan during the Cuban Revolution. Bezos was one of the boys living at the residence and attended Salesianum. Bezos graduated from the school in 1963. Salesianum President Brendan Kennealey described the couple’s understanding of what challenges some students face. “Mike and Jackie understand the complex obstacles faced by underserved students and wanted to give these students the best path to success,” Kennealey said in a statement. “Because of them, students from every neighborhood in Wilmington, and across the region, will have even greater access to a Salesianum education.”
Applications will open Aug. 1 for the scholarship, according to the school’s website. Criteria for those wishing to apply for the scholarship can be found here.