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R.O.M.E.O.S. Award Teen $5K Scholarship
McKeesport graduate Lorenzo Lewis receives scholarship from alumni group
By Adam Reinherz
The Tube City Almanac
June 11, 2024
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News
Lorenzo Lewis receives a $5,000 award from the R.O.M.E.O.S. on June 6. (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
McKeesport Area High School graduate and aspiring engineer Lorenzo Lewis was awarded “The Best Man” scholarship by the R.O.M.E.O.S. on Thursday.
The $5,000 prize, which was announced before McKeesport Area School District’s open agenda meeting, celebrates a graduating Tiger who demonstrates exemplary character, explained board member David Donato.
“He’s just a crowd pleaser,” Donato said of Lewis. “He's an amazing young man. Everybody spoke about his care for others and how much help he is to everyone — administration, teachers alike — active in the community, just a great kid and we're so proud to have him as our number one Tiger.”
Recent McKeesport High School graduate Lorenzo Lewis and his mom Beth Lewis. (Adam Reinherz photo for Tube City Almanac)
Superintendent Tia Wanzo joined Donato in presenting the check. “I've known Lorenzo since he was in elementary school, and he's always been just a very kind and attentive student,” she said.
Lewis is the group’s eighth awardee. Founded by McKeesport alumni, R.O.M.E.O.S. is an acronym for Retired Old Men Eating Out.
The district was pleased to join Donato and other R.O.M.E.O.S. members to present the award, Wanzo said: “Anytime that there's an opportunity for one of the students to receive a scholarship we're very excited, and Lorenzo’s definitely well deserving of it.”
Following the presentation, both Lewis and his mother expressed surprise at the recognition.
“Everyone who was interviewed I've known since I was a little kid, and I really didn't think there was any way they would pick me,” Lorenzo Lewis said.
“I was actually speechless,” Beth Lewis said. “It hasn't been easy and he's a great kid.”
Lorenzo Lewis will attend Geneva College this fall. He said the $5,000 award will be used to offset costs for room and board, books and a laptop.
“I’m going into engineering so I need a laptop that I can run everything,” he said.
There’s special pride in receiving a prize in front of dozens of longtime district supporters, Lewis continued: “It means a lot. It really does.”
Adam Reinherz is a freelance writer. He can be reached at adam.reinherz@gmail.com.
Originally published June 11, 2024.
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