“The scholarship was extremely completive,” said Randy Thompson, scholarship committee chairman. “Through a blind evaluation process, Divonte Williams was the scholarship board’s unanimous selectee. We are pleased to award the scholarship to such an incredibly dedicated student, and we wish him the best in his educational endeavors.”
Divonte is the son of Tameka Williams, who is an accountant at the center, and Damone Williams Sr. Williams’ stepparents are Jerald Herron and LaShondra Williams.
“I am proud of his determination and commitment to accomplishing what he sets his mind to, including academics and sports,” Tameka Williams said. “He doesn’t give up. He naturally has the drive and determination to accomplish his goals.”
Divonte said his motivation to go to college began with his parents instilling in him the value of education and knowledge. As a kid, one of his hobbies was rock collecting. That interest grew into a career path, which he plans to begin with studying geological sciences this fall at California State University, Northridge. He is looking forward to guidance from his older brother, Damone Williams Jr., who also attends the university.
“I plan to gain hands-on knowledge and experience throughout my college career by taking advantage of all training, opportunities and other programs that become available,” Divonte wrote in his essay. He states that he would love to land a job with NASA, which would give him the opportunity to work with geoscience research teams.
“I want to study theories and hypotheses about the earth’s crust and develop my own hypothesis about what happens in the deeper layers,” he said.
Divonte achieved a 3.14 GPA in his academic studies at Quartz Hill High School. He was captain of the varsity soccer team and was the goalkeeper. He also participated in the Quartz Hill High School Chamber Singers and the school’s Acapella choir. In addition, his community service included volunteering with the Skid Row motorcycle club Feed the Homeless in 2019 and 2020 and with the Popeye Toy Run in 2017-2019.
The Exchange Council scholarships are named for five former NASA Armstrong employees, with honorees selected on a rotating basis.
[Information via news release from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center.]
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Michael says
Great young man, in academics as well as in soccer he was a teammate of our grandson in a club team , excellent gold keeper , we loved watching his athleticism in action. Congratulations Divonte many future blessings.
Tim Scott says
Please pass on my respects.
Darius White says
Congratulations! It’s awesome to see that hard work on the right things and focus always pays off! Continue these habits in college and you’ll get to create the life you dream of.
Johnny Rocket says
Congrats fellow AVer. Now go get a job with SpaceX and move to Florida. You wont be sorry. God bless your journey.
Tim Scott says
Currently in Florida if you are in a car accident and require intensive care…the hospital will just send you home to die because they have no ICU bed space. Hard to believe that anyone can tout “move to Florida” with a straight face.
William says
Or Texas. Or Alabama. Or Mississippi.
They are all a mess. The are all RUN BY REPUBLICANS. Hence the messes like Lancaster.
So, why is Johnny Rocksoff telling people to move to Fla? Is he there? If not, why isn’t he packing and renting a U-Haul?
William says
Congrats is right. I heard a young female athlete say this the other day but I didn’t catch her name.
“Don’t you want to see what happens when you don’t give up?”
Words to live by.