No empty dream: Students' good works rewarded

Hakeem Olajuwon's foundation is helping some Houston-area teenagers go to college

By PATRINA A. BOSTIC

July 10, 2000 Web posted at: 3:21 PM EDT (1921 GMT)

HOUSTON, Texas (The Houston Chronicle) -- Achieving a dream requires many efforts.

Setting goals. Hard work. Perseverance. And, sometimes a helping hand.

For 20 Houston-area students that helping hand recently came from a famous figure. Representing his Dream Foundation, Houston Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon awarded scholarships in a ceremony to the high school graduates, all of whom had done volunteer work in their community.

"It shows that serving your community does get rewarded," said Ashley Kutz, a recent graduate of Clear Creek High School. Kutz, 18, said she plans to attend Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., this fall.

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To qualify for a Dream Foundation scholarship, applicants must maintain at least a "B" average throughout high school, volunteer for a recognized community service organization and demonstrate personal drive.

About 250 students applied for this year's scholarships, said Pamela Greaney, foundation executive director.

Students will receive $1,000 each year of college, paid directly to the university of their choice.

"The uniqueness of this (award) is truly the exceptional students. They're not just smart. They understand the whole picture," said Olajuwon, founder and president of the foundation.

He told the audience of students, family members and sponsors who attended the ceremony that he hopes in the future to give away 100 scholarships covering the full cost of college expenses.

"We're just so proud of what they are doing in the community," said Olajuwon.

Kutz said the cost to attend Rhodes College is about $35,000 a year. But she knows the key is to accumulate as many scholarships as possible.

"I got over $150,000 in scholarships. Some of my friends didn't get anything because they didn't take the time to look for assistance," she said.

Kutz said she wrote 78 essays for college and scholarship applications.

"I feel very honored to receive this scholarship. The Dream Foundation is enabling me to reach my dreams," she said. "I really appreciate Hakeem's support for that."

Helmuth Mayer also has a good reason to feel grateful. His twin daughters, Monika and Karina, were award recipients at the ceremony.

"Every bit helps," said Mayer, who already has two children in college. Three years ago, his daughter, Sylvia Mayer, also received a scholarship from the foundation.

The twins, 17, volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and will major in computer science at Southwestern University in Georgetown.

"They've worked very hard in school and in the community," said their mother, Sylvia Mayer.

Olajuwon established the foundation in 1995 as a way to help high school seniors with higher education goals. The foundation awarded five scholarships the first year, 10 in 1996 and 20 in 1997.

Twenty scholarships were also awarded in 1998 and 1999, and the program expanded to include Fort Bend County students last year.

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