EVERGREEN PARK, IL – Jamia Head, a junior student at Evergreen Park Community High School, is among the newest Thrive Scholars. Thrive Scholars are named throughout the United States to help high-achieving and underrepresented students get into and graduate from top colleges and become equipped to achieve their full career potential.

“I was in shock, and thrilled about the opportunity,” Head said about when she learned her application had been accepted. “The entire program, including the transportation and housing, is paid for, so it will be really cool to stay on a college campus.”

As a Thrive Scholar, she will attend a mentorship program this summer, and, in college, get two years of help with academics and two years of assistance through a career adviser.

Head is an honors student and heavily involved in activities at EPCHS. She’s a member of the school’s Color Guard and Choir, as well as the SADD, International Club, National Honor Society, Madrigals and Unaccompanied Minors clubs. She played a character in the recent production of “SpongeBob: The Musical” as a theater student at EPCHS.

Amy Kazin, EPCHS Activities Director, said she was happy to write a letter of recommendation in support of Head.

Head cites Kazin as one of the many teachers at EPCHS who make going to school “enjoyable.”

“She puts a lot of work in to the things she does, and is always willing to vouch or do something extra to help us out,” Head said.