2024 Daniel Murphy Scholars

This academic school year, four ME eight graders were selected for the Daniel Murphy scholarship fund. This fund has about 500 students currently enrolled in partnering high schools with full scholarships. And beyond high school, 100% of Daniel Murphy scholars that apply for four year universities get in. Mr. Marcus Woods, the high school readiness counselor at ME, helps guide the students through the process which includes an application, essays, and interviews.

All four applicants have their own personal stories, but they all share the ME experience that has ultimately instilled ME values in them. These driven scholars have lead by example and will excel in many aspects of life. ME has provided them with the tools to succeed academically and socially. Now they can graduate knowing that they are going to the high school of their dreams with full scholarships.

ME values faculty like Mr. Woods. He prepares our scholars for higher education through his research and care. He helps all students prepare in a variety of ways, to attend one of their top high school choices; teaching classes, running focus groups, application, essay, interview prep, and overall confidence building for our students. Faculty like Mr. Woods help scholars continue to grow into their full potential.

Emar’e Green

Emar’e Green started in kindergarten at ME and will finish his eighth grade year as a Daniel Murphy Scholarship recipient. Emar’e is involved in football, basketball, wrestling, boxing and By The Hand. He was introduced to the scholarship program through High Jump and Mr. Woods.

Emar’e wrote his scholarship essay on being an involved member of his community. Outside of school he helps out his mom’s group, Northern Star. He remembers the group packing and handing out goodie bags to the homeless. Emar’e really looks forward to being with this group, he feels like an important part of their success.

He believes his biggest challenge is staying focused, but his mom is right there with him to stay on track. He wants to give back to the community that makes him feel welcomed. It’s important to him that he is a good influence to his younger family members. His growth mindset pushes him to try new things because he enjoys finding out new things about himself.

Emar’e plans on becoming a software engineer when he’s older. He learned about coding through Mr. Pinsen in the third grade. He enjoys coding and seeing how digital software works. ME has made learning fun for him and his peers. His favorite MEM is when the teachers would make games that require certain skills. For example, teachers got kids to want to learn division so they could be a part of the group and win the division games. Emar’e’s curiosity and hunger for growth will continue to push him in life.

Charielle Hayes

Charielle Hayes began attending ME in 5th grade and will graduate this Spring with her Daniel Murphy Scholarship. Charielle is also involved in ME’s student government. She heard about the scholarship from her counselor Mr. Woods. This made her feel special to be chosen to be a part of something bigger.

Everything Charielle does is to make her mother proud, that’s why she helps out with her siblings whenever she can. While going through the application process her mom was a major source of motivation, but she also looks to God for help through all of her hardships. Charielle wrote her application essay on wanting to be a first generation college graduate. She ultimately wants to use her opportunities to fulfill challenges that showcase what she is capable of.

Charielle enjoys being the historian for her student government. She likes helping the kids get points to maintain their club membership. Her favorite event that the club has hosted is Operation Cupid. During this community building event the kids handed out candy, roses and strawberries to other students and staff members. She remembers the event very fondly.

When Charielle grows up she wants to be a NICU nurse or a lawyer. She loves working with kids and wants to make a difference for future generations, making her a perfect potential NICU nurse. On the other hand she loves to debate, making her a perfect potential lawyer. All in all, Charielle knows herself and knows she will get through whatever obstacles that come her way.

Tiona Ousley

Daniel Murphy Scholarship scholar, Tiona Ousley started at Moving Everest in 2nd grade. She is involved in NJHS, basketball, volleyball, track and flag football. On top of being a member of all these organizations, Tiona currently holds the secretary position for student council. She loves to mediate and organize making this position perfect for her. Tiona shares her thoughts and opinions and takes other ideas into consideration all while organizing the notes.

Tiona’s favorite MEM was the Daniel Murphy Celebration Parade that ME put together to celebrate the scholarship recipients. The parade was a complete surprise for all four of the scholarship winners, thanks to Mr. Marcus Woods and Ms. Keisha Branch making it happen.While she was surprised she was also feeling fulfilled, happy and accomplished.

Right now, her current goal is to finish college with her masters and bachelors degree. Tiona’s life goal is to be an urban farming entrepreneur. She wants to establish urban farming centers in areas that are high in poverty. She knows food is very important, but it is also very expensive. Urban farming creates food accessibility while allowing people to grow their own produce.

Tiona became interested in urban farming when her family drove past a local gardening center after church. She has since contributed to gardening in urban farming centers through her after school program, By The Hand. The club planted vegetables as one of their after school activities. Throughout her life she has valued responsibility above all else, which shines through in her personality and experiences.

Dame’nique Bridgmon

Daniel Murphy scholarship recipient, Dame’nique Bridgmon started her journey at Moving Everest in kindergarten and will finish her journey as the eighth grade Class President. She also started taking high school level classes through High Jump in sixth grade. ME’s High School Readiness Counselor, Mr. Marcus Woods introduced the scholarship as well as this program to her.

Dame’nique believes that all leaders should lead by example. She has learned to always stay ready for whatever life throws at her and encourages her peers to have a vision to complete their mission. She believes they can achieve this through trying their hardest and staying on track. Since Dame’nique is highly organized and motivated, she doesn’t face many roadblocks. Although when she does face challenges she copes with them through taking deep breaths to keep calm and prioritizes her alone time.

Her teachers have had a big influence on her drive to succeed — she values their perceptions and really wants to make them proud. Dame’nique possesses many values that ME upholds, but her perseverance and growth mindset stand out the most. There’s no doubt she will maintain these traits in high school because she is a motivated go-getter.

Dame’nique plans to become a pediatric nurse when she grows up. She found out that she loves working with children through the after school program, By the Hand. Here she helps the younger children with their comprehension skills. She wants all the children she works with to feel accepted and comfortable.