HARTFORD, Conn., June 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast NBCUniversal today announced that it has awarded $50,000 in scholarships for the 2019-2020 school year to 17 Connecticut students as part of its annual Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship Program.  Students are selected for their outstanding community service, academic performance, and leadership skills. The award, funded by the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, is a one-time, $2,500 scholarship to be used toward undergraduate education-related expenses. Since 2001, more than $33 million has been awarded to nearly 30,000 high school seniors across the country as part of the Leaders and Achievers program, including $750,000 to nearly 650 students in Connecticut.

"Our Leaders and Achievers scholarship winners are exceptional students who are committed to academic excellence and community service," said Michael Parker, senior vice president of Comcast's Western New England Region, which is headquartered in Connecticut. "We are honored to recognize their achievements and excited to support them as they continue their educational journeys."

Comcast, joined by Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, State Senator Douglas McCrory, State Representative Catherine Abercrombie and State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria, recognized the students at a special event held at the Connecticut State Capitol today.  One student, Rameezah Ahmed, a resident of Danbury and student at Danbury Hight School, was selected to receive an additional $7,500 Comcast Founders Scholarship - instituted in honor of Ralph J. Roberts, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Comcast Corporation.

"I congratulate all of this year's scholarship recipients for their academic achievements and thank them for their outstanding acts of community service," Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. "For those who will be going across the country to attend college in the fall, we will be anxiously awaiting their return to Connecticut as leaders of the future. I can't wait to see what innovative ideas this next generation of idea-makers brings back to our state."

"I join Comcast in congratulating these exceptional students on their commitment to their education and their community.  Support of our youth comes in many forms and the Comcast Leaders and Achievers scholarships will make a difference for these kids as they prepare for their future," added Senate Education Committee Chairman, Doug McCrory (D-Hartford).

The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program provides scholarships to students who strive to achieve their full potential, who are catalysts for positive change in their communities, who are involved in their schools, and who serve as models for their fellow students. The philosophy behind the program is to give young people every opportunity to prepare for the future and to engage them in their communities. The program also demonstrates the importance and value of civic involvement, especially by the business community.

Students receiving this year's Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship in Connecticut are:

Visit here to learn more about the program.

About Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation 
The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation continues the work of the foundations founded by Comcast Corporation and NBCUniversal to provide charitable support to qualified non-profit organizations. The Foundation invests in programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact on the communities we serve. Its mission is to empower communities to thrive by helping to provide access to technology, relevant digital skills and training, and inspiring volunteerism and service. The Foundation invests in programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact on the communities we serve.  More information about how Comcast NBCUniversal supports the communities it serves is available at comcast.com/community.

About Comcast Corporation:
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses:  Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States' largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses.  It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights.  Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

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SOURCE Comcast NBCUniversal