Maine-African Partnership for Social Justice Scholarship

James Angelo

James Angelo, a refugee from South Sudan and recent graduate of Portland High School, was shot and killed in the fall of 2008 while working as a security officer at Mercy Hospital. In his memory, we award a Portland, Maine high school senior of African descent a scholarship to attend Southern Maine Community College.

The scholarship recognizes the challenges that immigrants and refugees from war-torn countries face as they adjust to life in the United States. They must become proficient in English, adopt new customs, and often work part-time through high school to support an extended family. Our scholarship sees the need to recognize “late bloomers,” students who have overcome these barriers and need financial aid to continue their dreams.

Thanks to your support, the scholarship has been an overwhelming success. Our first scholarship recipient, Ater Ater graduated from the University of Maine and is a member of the National Guard. Over the past 10 years, we have awarded the scholarship to asylum seekers and immigrants from Rwanda, Burundi, Djbouti, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

(right) Pacifique Jabiro and Ater Ater (left) with Dr. Charles Radis