Woonsocket Students Win College Scholarships Honoring Roger Williams

WOONSOCKET, RI — Two Woonsocket students are among six high school seniors statewide who will head off to freshman year sharing $100,000 in college scholarships, the Rhode Island Foundation said Tuesday.

Fatou Dieng and Ngan “Kim” Le will receive the four-year, renewable scholarships through the Roger Williams Initiative, which honors the state’s founding father.

More than 120 students applied for this inaugural round of scholarships. The six recipients were selected based on financial need, appreciation for Roger Williams’ values and record of academic achievement and community service.

Dieng, who will graduate from Woonsocket High School, plans to attend Smith College.

“This scholarship allows me to continue to build the bridge to a successful future as a neonatologist," she said. "I now realize the importance of stepping out of our boundaries in terms of our education, the same way Williams stepped out of his when he came to Rhode Island. Through this, he was able to broaden his knowledge,” she said.

In her application, Dieng had this to say about the impact Roger Williams still has today.

“My knowledge of Roger Williams has shown me that my community is a growing foundation many of his beliefs. “The one thing that makes my community unique is its diversity. Our ability to accept and surround ourselves with individuals from different ethnic backgrounds such as African, Dominican, Puerto Rican, Italian, Asian and Albanian represents what Roger Williams sought through his freedom of conscience, when he welcomed everyone into his community regardless of who they were as long as they were good citizens,” she wrote.

“My service to my community has made me a competent student who is more than willing to accept a challenge that can make a difference in someone's life the same way Roger Williams did. During my sophomore year of high school, I dedicated my summer to volunteering at Landmark Medical Center, a hospital in my city. I assisted members of the soup kitchen in giving meals to patients, and taking their orders,” she wrote. “I have also had the opportunity to participate in community service at the Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C., as a Bank of America student leader, in which I have created gift bags full of items such as toothpaste, soap, toothbrushes and lotion for veterans in the hospital.”

Le, who will graduate from Mount St. Charles Academy, plans to attend Columbia University.

"The Roger Williams Scholarship ensures that I can continue an education in one of the world's greatest cities and universities. Most important of all, the scholarship means access, opportunity and a step into the future,” she said.

In her application, Le had this to say about Roger Williams' legacy.

“Roger Williams represented two leadership qualities that I aspire to embody: courage and conviction" she wrote. "He was not afraid to speak his mind, even against the highest seats of authority. He defended his principles and dared to defy society’s most entrenched beliefs. For Rhode Island and liberty, he was willing to sacrifice his former reputation and status. I hope I will be able to uphold my values as fervently as Williams did his. Most of all, I aspire to be as fearless he was—brave enough to challenge society, courageous enough to sacrifice what I have.”

The other scholarship winners are Kelsey Dellinger of North Kingstown; Taleen Donoyan and Diana Iglesias, both of Cranston, and Night Jean Muhingabo, of Providence.

Photo Caption: Woonsocket residents Ngan “Kim” Le, left, and Fatou Dieng are among six high school seniors who will head off to freshman year sharing $100,000 in college scholarships.