Cincinnatus Scholar Enjoying First Year At UC

Abrar Hammoud is a full Cincinnatus Scholarship award winner and one of Turner Hall's very first residents. The UC freshman and electronic media major says living in the brand new residence hall is "amazing. My room is huge!"

Abrar says living away from home has helped her grow up a little. The Rossford High School graduate and 2002 valedictorian visited her folks in Perrysburg, Ohio just a couple of times this quarter.

Looking back on the Cincinnatus competition, Abrar says she had always been interested in UC's prestigious College-Conservatory of Music. "My drama teacher had told me CCM was really good and he also mentioned that to my guidance counselor. She left something on my desk about the Cincinnatus Scholarship competition and I thought I had nothing to lose by trying."

Abrar was one of nine people to get the highest award out of the 1,500 or so who came to campus to compete for the scholarships last February. That's the unique part of the UC scholarship awards. Students are not just recognized for their grades. They're invited to campus to make friends and compete with fellow students across the country. At competition, they're challenged by essay and problem-solving activities that also demonstrate their leadership and teamwork.

"Our group didn't finish part of the project, so I didn't think I'd win a full scholarship," she says. "Then I got a phone call a few weeks later and they told me I was one of the 21 top finalists! I was so excited, I just started screaming."

The top finalists came to campus again last March, to be interviewed by a committee that selected the top winners. Abrar turned out to be one of the finalists and was selected for a full $60,000 award to pay for tuition, room and board, books and fees. Her dedication to service was also considered in the final competition.

Cincinnatus Scholars continue their service as part of their scholarship commitment, but that dedication was something that began long before their years in college. "It's important to give back to those in need," says the former hospice volunteer.

Her advice for high school students planning to compete in Cincinnatus VII: "I would probably tell them, just take it easy, don't get too anxious about the competition. It's an honor in the first place just to be invited!"