Ellington Class of 2024 Graduation. Photo Credit: Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer
The Ellington Fund is an all-volunteer board of directors that raises over $1.6 million dollars for Ellington each year. It also awards $60,000 in college scholarships to deserving Ellington students. As always, thank you to the generous and thoughtful families that set up these funds!
CAFRITZ AWARDS ($10,000 each)
Peggy Cooper Cafritz, co-founder of DESA, began this scholarship endowment to support outstanding DESA students in their college pursuits.
Nyla Marie Mickel (Theatre)
Kelis Johnson (Dance)
Mackayla McNeill (TDP)
DANIEL AND JACQUELYN SERWER SCHOLARSHIP ($5,000) Adam Serwer (Theatre, Class of 2001) established this scholarship in the name of his parents. Akinle Armand (Theatre) Cairo Waters (Theatre) Attending Temple University |
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WADE FAMILY AWARD ($5,000)
Princess Ann Brown (C.A.M.P.)
JAY BERMAN SCHOLARSHIPS ($2,500 each)
In 1999, Jay started this fund upon his retirement from the Recording Industry Association of America. The scholarship funds two music scholars each year.
Jodie Lusaka-Kaberia (Instrumental Music)
Jayla Norwood, 2024 Opera Workshop Award Winner
(Vocal Music)
TODD ECKHARDT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($4,000)
Todd was the beloved bass player and song writer for the Washington, DC based SKA Band, the Pie Tasters for seven years. When he passed away in 2001, his parents wanted to ensure other young musicians got the chance to pursue their love of music.
Caleb Johnson (Instrumental Music)
LAUREN MICHAUD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($4,000)
Lauren (Visual Arts, Class of 1998) was an artist who passed away in 2019. Her parents, Joele and Fred Michaud, generously set up this endowment to support future VA graduates in their post-secondary education pursuits.
De'Azia Washington (Visual Arts)
JANET B. RUBIN AWARD ($3,500)
One of the school's earliest patrons, Janet helped raise money for the Workshops for Careers in the Arts, which led to the school's creation in 1974. She went on to serve as president the Ellington Fund and continued raising money until she passed away in 2003.
Willow Singleton, Cappies Critic Award Winner (Theatre) Attending New York University Tisch School of the Arts
ELLINGTON FUND AWARDS ($1,000 each)
Jayden Adams (Dance)
Princess Louden (Theatre)
JIM MAYO SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000)
Kirk Thomas II (Museum Studies)
SPIRIT OF ELLINGTON AWARDS ($500 each)
Winners represent all that is the Ellington CREED. They are leaders and collaborators while serving the school community and giving to others.
Xavier Golden (Instrumental Music)
Fitz Morrissey (TDP)
Skylar Ogunshakin-White (Visual Arts)
Reb Spring, Salutatorian (C.A.M.P)
Jonathan L. Sadler ($500)
While not an endowed scholarship, we still very much appreciate this scholarship award made by Jonathan L. Sadler.
Mackayla McNeill (TDP)
SCHOOL SPIRIT AWARDS ($250 each)
Nyla Marie Mickel (Theatre)
Bryce Porter (Instrumental Music)