At a recent ceremony Massachusetts Port Authority’s (Massport) CEO & Executive Director Thomas J. Kinton, Jr., presented six Boston High School graduates with diversity scholarships. The scholarships are open to all seniors graduating from private or public high schools in the City of Boston. Applicants must have an interest and desire in pursuing a degree that could be used in a career in transportation industries. Areas of study may include: Aviation, Business Administration, Accounting, Architecture, Engineering, Finance and Human Resources.
 
This year’s award recipients are Joanie Decopain (The Engineering School, Hyde Park), Faith Nwaoha (Jeremiah E. Burke, Dorchester), Arbora Malushi (Brook Farm Academy, West Roxbury), Judy Chhim (Madison Park Technical Vocational, Roxbury), Ina Duka (Boston Latin Academy, Boston), and Kang Sheng He (Charlestown High School, Charlestown).
 
“For a second year, Massport is proud to support some of Boston’s best and brightest with scholarships,’’ said Kinton. “I am pleased to see that so many young men and women are interested in pursuing careers in transportation.’’
 
“Transportation is a constantly evolving, global industry, with diversity being an integral part of its success strategy,” said Sandra C. Buford, Ph.D, Director of Diversity at Massport. “At Massport, we are contributing to the future of transportation by identifying outstanding, highly qualified students through our Diversity Community Outreach Scholarships.”
 
Joanie Decopain is a resident of Hyde Park, and will attend Boston University. She was a member of the National First Robotics team, and placed first in her school’s science fair. She has taken college courses through the dual enrollment program at Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology. In the fall, Joanie will study electrical engineering.
 
Faith Nwaoha is a resident of Dorchester, and will attend Boston University. She was the 2008 Valedictorian of Jeremiah E. Burke High School, and is a member of the National Honor Society. She worked on the school’s newspaper, was a member of the varsity volleyball team, and was the Machine Science Robotics Team Leader. In the fall, Faith will pursue mathematics and biology.
Arbora Malushi is a resident of Roslindale, and will attend Stonehill College in Easton, Mass. She has been an active participant in both school and community. She attended the College Bound program at Boston College, volunteered for City Year Community Service, and was a member of the varsity volleyball team. In the fall, Arbora will study business management.
 
Judy Chhim is a resident of Dorchester, and will attend Northeastern University. She has been a volunteer for several organizations including the Boston Food Bank, Boston Pops, and Cradles to Crayons. She also participated in Blue Cross Blue Shield’s “Blue Scholars” mentoring program. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and in the fall, Judy will pursue general studies.
Ina Duka is a resident of Dorchester, and will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass. She is the Secretary for the Class of 2008 and a member of the National Honor Society. While in school, she undertook many activities including the Classics Club, Albanian Film Festival, and the National Society of Black Engineers. She also received the “Cum Laude Award” from National Latin Examination, and the “President’s Award for Academic Excellence.” In the fall, Ina will study engineering.
 
Kang Sheng He is a resident of East Boston, and will attend Boston University. He has been an active participant in both school and community. He is a teaching assistant for “Technology Goes Home” tutoring adults in computer skills and language translation, and is also a volunteer at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He was a member of the swim team and Asian Student Club, and was also the leader of the Robotics Team. He received several academic awards in AP Biology, Reading Comprehension, and MCAS 10, as well as the “Best Invention in Entrepreneurship Class Award.” He is a member of the National Honor Society, and in the fall, Kang Sheng will pursue economics.