First ever recipient of Zaevion Dobson scholarship graduates from UT (University of Tennessee). That person is Uriah Richey, a pre-law student. #ZaevionDobson #UriahRichey
First ever recipient of Zaevion Dobson scholarship graduates from UT
“Fulton taught me how to interact with people that are different than me. That community exposed me to people of different backgrounds and races and religions and languages. It’s a beautiful thing, Fulton taught me what true diversity is.”
Uriah Richey
I blogged about a young man who gave his life for others (no greater love), Zaevion Dobson, who went to the same high school I did, Fulton High.
A scholarship was set up in his memory. That is where this young lady, Uriah Richey, was the first ever to receive the scholarship. She recently graduated the University of Tennessee (UT). Richey was valedictorian of her class at Fulton High.
“I wanted to make sure it meant something, and it still means something. I wanted to make sure that Zae’s honor, his legacy, is still being lived out. Zaevion will never have that opportunity to go to college, so the fact that I get to do that means I need to do every single thing I’m supposed to.”
Uriah Richey
Richey studied pre-law and was a member of the Pride of the Southland Band Color Guard. Who enjoyed marching at Neyland Stadium.
In addition to her leadership in the color guard, Richey served as a resident assistant in Massey Hall, an officer for the campus chapters of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the NAACP, a member of the 1794 Scholars program, and a pre-college mentor in the Project GRAD Summer Institute. She also volunteered at her alma mater, Knoxville’s Fulton High School. This spring, she was recognized with the Extraordinary Campus Leadership and Service award, one of the highest honors for a UT undergraduate.
“I went to school with Zaevion, and when he passed away it brought our community together—our Knoxville community, but also the community at Fulton, receiving an award in his memory means a lot. I had to make sure that I lived up to that honor.”
Uriah Richey
Even with the current pandemic affecting many schools, she still graduated and plans to attend Howard University Law School in the fall. Richey plans to become a civil rights attorney to help fight the system of inequalities telling people who look like her that they are limited to what they can do in life.
“Uriah is committed both intellectually and in spirit to the university and her community,” said Michelle Brown, a sociology professor in the College of Arts and Sciences and one of Richey’s favorite instructors.
Let’s keep Uriah Richey in your prayers!
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