The Chesapeake Bay Trust has awarded Katherine Maria Cruz of Ellicott City with the Honorable Arthur Dorman Scholarship. She was presented the scholarship Thursday at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Dinner, held at La Fountaine Bleu in Glen Burnie.
The scholarship honors a Maryland student who shows interest in and commitment to the environment and the Chesapeake Bay, and strengthens communities by promoting diversity and respect.
Cruz, a senior at Mount Hebron High School, was selected to be a student representative for the Howard County Human Rights Commission in 2002. That year she also served as the student representative for the Equity Council for Howard County public schools, which advises the superintendent's office. Cruz has also served as president of Students for Environmental Action, which oversees the school recycling program and raises funds to buy land in the Brazilian rain forest.
Cruz plans to pursue environmental studies in her undergraduate career.
The scholarship was named in honor of state Sen. Arthur Dorman, who served 38 years in the Maryland legislature and was known as an advocate for environmental and social equality issues. He served on the Chesapeake Bay Trust Board since its inception through 2002 and was chairman of the trust board from 1996 through 2000.
Maryland high school seniors and undergraduate college students are eligible to apply for this annual award. Applicants must be Maryland residents who have a GPA greater than a 3.0, exhibit financial need and show strong leadership in school and community environmental initiatives.
Information: 410-974-2941 or www.chesapeakebaytrust.org.