The Comcast Foundation is awarding 96 Virginia high school seniors $1,000 scholarships through its annual Leaders and Achievers(r) Scholarship Program. The program, one of the Comcast Foundation's signature community investment programs, recognizes students' leadership skills, academic achievement and commitment to community service.

Comcast has awarded several high school students in the Metro Richmond area with $1000 scholarships through its annual Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program. The following students from Richmond and surrounding areas have received Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarships this year:

- Kristen Gardner from Ashland, VA (Patrick Henry High School)

- Julia Sharpe from Chester, VA (Thomas Dale High School)

- Kristin Lauritsch from Chesterfield, VA (Manchester High School)

- Christopher Weber from Glen Allen, VA (Deep Run High School)

- Chelsea Powers from Hopewell, VA (West End Christian School)

- E'lane Abbey from Mckenney, VA (Dinwiddie High School)

- Kimberly Cummings from Mechanicsville, VA (Lee-Davis High School)

- Kaitlin Longest from Mechanicsville, VA (Hanover High School)

- Matthew Winston from Mechanicsville, VA (Atlee High School)

- Colleen Brooke from Midlothian, VA (St. Gertrude High School)

- Vanessa Cravotta from Midlothian, VA (Midlothian High School)

- Taylor Jones from Midlothian, VA (Clover Hill High School)

- Kacie Lake from Midlothian, VA (Cosby High)

- Jessica Rymer from Midlothian, VA (Monacan High School)

- Alexis Smith from Midlothian, VA (James River High School)

- Alexandra Wiles from Midlothian, VA (Maggie L. Walker Governor's

School)

- Shannon Summers from Powhatan, VA (Powhatan High School)

- Cameron Campbell from Prince George, VA (Prince George High School)

- Ralph George Ferguson from Richmond, VA (St. Christopher's School)

- Monique Jones from Richmond, VA (Armstrong High School)

- Michael Ny from Richmond, VA (Meadowbrook High School)

- Kimberly Price from Richmond, VA (Varina High School)

- Lindsay Teague from Richmond, VA (Freeman High School)

- Jasmine Washington from Richmond, VA (Open High School)

- Christa Wood from Richmond, VA (Hermitage High School)

"The cost of college continues to rise, so the Comcast Foundation is proud to present these young people with the Comcast Leaders and Achievers(r) Scholarship in recognition of their hard work, leadership and commitment to their communities," said David L. Cohen, Comcast Executive Vice President and co-chairman of The Comcast Foundation.

"These students represent our future leaders and they embody Comcast's belief in giving back to the communities where we live and work."

A commitment to community service is an essential component in the selection of Comcast Leaders and Achievers(r) Scholarship recipients.

This year's winners have participated in a wide variety of community service activities such as helping to revitalize communities as part of mission work, mentoring and coaching younger students, volunteering at hospitals and participating in local blood, food and clothing drives.

Nationally, 1,965 high school seniors are the beneficiaries of $1,000 Comcast Leaders and Achievers(r) scholarships this year. In the eight years since the program began, it has awarded nearly $10 million in college aid to more than 9,000 students.

Each year, Comcast works with high school principals, guidance counselors, and school administrators to select the scholarship recipients.  For additional information, visit www.comcast.com/scholarships.

The preceding was compiled from a Comcast news release.