Bryan Cave LLP Awards First-Ever Edward I. Koch Scholarships To Five Students From Brooklyn School For Collaborative Studies

NEW YORK, May 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- International law firm Bryan Cave LLP (www.bryancave.com) today announced the five recipients of The 2013 Bryan Cave LLP Edward I. Koch Scholarship Fund. The scholarship program, part of Bryan Cave LLP's New York Partner Charitable Contributions Fund, will award $5,000 each to five graduates from the Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies (BCS) (www.bcs448.org), a grade six through 12 public school located in Carroll Gardens/Red Hook, Brooklyn.  Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch was a partner at Bryan Cave LLP for more than 23 years.

All seniors planning to pursue a post-secondary education and in good standing at BCS in 2013 were eligible to apply for The 2013 Bryan Cave LLP Edward I. Koch Scholarship Fund. Selection was based on a wide range of criteria, including academic record and community involvement, but priority was given to those students intending to pursue a career in law or public service.

"The caliber of the applicants and quality of the students at BCS made selecting the recipients for these scholarships a challenging but rewarding process," said Vincent Alfieri, managing partner of Bryan Cave LLP's New York office. "In each instance their dedication to academic excellence, ability to overcome obstacles, desire to help others, and commitment to continue their education in a motivated and inspiring way, is what ultimately led us to choose these outstanding student leaders."

The five recipients of The 2013 Bryan Cave LLP Edward I. Koch Scholarship Fund are:

Ja'Nice Greenidge: Having dedicated the majority of her youth toward the service of others, Ja'Nice has already founded and participated in service organizations in her community, and even traveled to Guyana last spring to provide clothing and school supplies to local villagers. Ja'Nice was accepted to Hampshire College, St. Lawrence University, Wheaton College, Juniata College, Guilford College and plans to attend SUNY-Fredonia through the college's Full Opportunity Program.

Caitlin Hackett: Caitlin has a remarkable academic record, and is involved in numerous extracurricular activities at BCS, while still managing a demanding course load. She has proved to be a catalyst for positive change within the classroom, inside the school community, in her neighborhood, and the world-at-large by serving as a counselor, a peer tutor, a swim teacher, and a school tour guide at BCS. Caitlin was accepted to Mount Holyoke College, Sarah Lawrence College, Muhlenberg College, St. Lawrence University, and has decided to attend SUNY-Fredonia.

Luis Hernandez: A Red Hook native, Luis will graduate as valedictorian of the BCS class of 2013, and has the strongest grade point average of any BCS graduate in history. Luis spent last summer traveling in South Africa doing HIV/AIDS education and community service work in poor communities. Luis plans to attend the University of Southern California in the fall as a Posse Foundation Scholar.

Felicia Latiff: Felicia has been very involved in raising her little sister and has overcome great obstacles in her home life. Despite her hardships, Felicia has excelled in school and extracurricular activities throughout her career at BCS. Felicia aspires to be a doctor and has interned as a pediatric nurse assistant with the Long Island College Hospital at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Felicia plans to attend Long Island University, though she also received acceptances from highly selective colleges, including Brandeis University.

Dana McClain: According to BCS counselor Josh Steckel, Dana "is personally, academically, and artistically a superstar. This scholarship promises to open doors for her to consider colleges that might otherwise be out of reach." Dana, an avid musician, is the section leader (clarinets) in the BCS band and lead vocal and founding member of the BCS Glee Club. Dana was accepted to Bard College, Hampshire College and Wheaton College, among others, and has decided to attend SUNY-New Paltz.

"We are very grateful to be working with Bryan Cave LLP on this scholarship initiative in honor of former Mayor Ed Koch," said BCS counselor Josh Steckel. "We work so closely with our students and families to open doors to highly selective colleges, but the cost of higher education can make it very difficult for families to afford to take advantage of these opportunities. Through generous efforts like this, we are able to help our families bring the best possible outcomes within reach. These scholarships will make a tremendous difference in the lives of our students."

Bryan Cave LLP (www.bryancave.com) has a diversified international legal practice. The firm represents a wide variety of business, financial, institutional and individual clients, including publicly held multinational corporations, large and mid-sized privately held companies, partnerships and emerging companies. Subsidiary Bryan Cave International Consulting provides trade and customs consultancy. Aided by extensive investments in technology, Bryan Cave's more than 1,100 lawyers and other professionals in over 30 offices across the United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Asia efficiently serve clients' needs in the world's key business and financial markets.

The Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies (www.bcs448.org) is a grade six through 12 public school located in Carroll Gardens/Red Hook, Brooklyn.  The school is a diverse and respectful Expeditionary Learning School, committed to developing students and staff who are kind, open-minded, persistent, responsible, and courageous.  With support from peers, staff, families, and school partners, students engage in challenging academic and social experiences that prepare them for college level learning and full participation in civic life.  Students learn to apply their intellect and effort to benefit themselves and their community.

SOURCE Bryan Cave LLP