More than a dozen Boston Public School students are on their way to college this fall, thanks to Danvers-based RISO, Inc., a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-speed inkjet printers and digital duplicators. RISO has teamed-up with the Foundation To Be Named Later to provide 14 college scholarships to deserving young adults in honor of legendary baseball journalist Peter Gammons. Founded by Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein and his brother Paul, the Foundation To Be Named Later is a branch of the Red Sox Foundation serving disadvantaged youth in the Greater Boston area.
"The Foundation strives to create positive opportunities for underprivileged youth, and we are grateful to RISO for enabling us to send these deserving Boston Public School students to college in Peter's name," said Paul Epstein. "Peter is a passionate advocate for young people and our biggest champion and we cannot think of a better way to honor him for all of his remarkable work in the community."
The "Foundation To Be Named Later Peter Gammons Scholarship" was created by RISO, Inc. and the Foundation in 2010 and was initially presented to five deserving Boston Public School students. This year, the scholarship will be awarded to 14 outstanding Boston Public School students who will receive more than $45,000 combined for college for the upcoming school year. The Foundation will also align the students with mentors who will guide them throughout their college years, while RISO, Inc. will provide students with brand new state-of-the-art laptops to aid in their studies.
"RISO strongly believes in furthering the education of our nation's children," said Alex Olshan, RISO, Inc. Vice President & CFO. "We are proud to support the Foundation's efforts with this academic scholarship that will provide greater opportunities to students who might not otherwise have the ability to attend college."
Jasmine Clark, of Dorchester, received the largest award — a $12,000 four-year scholarship that will allow her to study pre-med at Simmons College. Clark, who hopes to become a pediatrician, was nominated by the West End House Boys and Girls Club. Darius Davis, of Mission Hill, also received a major award — $5,500 to help cover his tuition at Bentley College. Nominated by the Boston Red Sox, Davis plans to study business and play basketball next year.
Clark and Davis were honored by Theo and Paul Epstein and Peter Gammons at the Foundation To Be Named Later's Hot Stove Cool Music fundraiser on June 11 at Fenway Park. Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino also congratulated the pair at the event, where New Kids On The Block members Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood made a surprise appearance, praising the students for succeeding in the tough Boston neighborhoods where they also grew up.
A Boston native and Hall of Fame baseball writer, Gammons recently joined the MLB Network and New England Sports Network as an on-air and online analyst. He has long been an avid philanthropist and community activist.
"To have 14 deserving students receive these scholarships in my honor means more to me than any professional accomplishment," said Gammons. "Without the support of the Foundation and RISO, these students may not otherwise have the opportunity to achieve their full potential and I am grateful to both organizations for making this possible."
Additional recipients of the "Foundation To Be Named Later Peter Gammons Scholarship" include:
- Roobiva Bernadin of Boston
- Chiquana Clayton of Dorchester
- Jessenia Cortes of Roxbury Crossing
- Ximena Jimenz of Brookline
- Michon Joseph of Hyde Park
- Sandy Lopes of Dorchester
- Steven Paradis of Revere
- Mariah Ramdial of Milton
- Tyrone Ramnath of Boston
- Tianna Robinson of Dorchester
- Lesly Suriel of Brookline
- Alex Torres of Brighton
The scholars will receive a celebratory send-off from Theo and Paul Epstein, Gammons and Olshan on the field at Fenway Park before beginning the fall semester.
The "Foundation To Be Named Later Peter Gammons Scholarship" is just one of many programs supported by the Foundation. To date, the Foundation To Be Named Later has distributed more than $5 million in cash grants and in kind donations to local non-profit organizations.
About RISO, Inc.
RISO, Inc., headquartered in Danvers, Massachusetts, is a wholly owned subsidiary of RISO Kagaku Corporation, Japan's leading manufacturer and distributor of high-speed inkjet printers and digital duplicators (previously called Risograph). RISO's ComColor® printers offer fast, affordable, environmentally friendly digital color at speeds of up to 150 pages per minute. To learn more about RISO's ComColor printers, call 1-800-663-3031 ext. 2, or visit its corporate website at http://us.riso.com.
About Foundation To Be Named Later (FTBNL)
The Foundation To Be Named Later (FTBNL), a branch of the Red Sox Foundation, was founded in 2005 by Red Sox Executive Vice President and General Manager Theo Epstein and his twin brother Paul, a social worker in the Brookline public school system. Inspired by Paul and Theo's commitment to creating positive opportunities for disadvantaged children and families in the Boston area, the Foundation aims to expand the impact of youth-focused nonprofits by raising awareness and critical resources. Visit www.FoundationToBeNamedLater.org for more information.
