White student returns MLK scholarship intended for blacks

Jeffrey Warren, 17, senior at Martin Luther King Jr Highschool applied for as many scholarships as he was applicable...

Jun 11, 2012

A senior at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Riverside, California applied for as many scholarships as he was applicable. He was surprised to hear that his name called up during his graduation for a Martin Luther King Jr. scholarship for $1,000. Giggles erupted from his classmates as he went up to receive the award. But Jeffrey and his father Rod Warren have returned the scholarship money to the Martin Luther King Senior Citizens Club.

The Press Enterprise reported how the mix-up happened:

A hush fell over the King High School gym when Jeffrey Warren was announced as winner of an African-American student scholarship.

Then giggles erupted, followed by laughter as the white student got up to receive his $1,000 award.

Later that evening, Jeffrey and his father Rod decided to return the scholarship to the Martin Luther King Senior Citizens Club. The Riverside group, despite mixed opinions among its members, accepted, scholarship chairwoman Etta Brown said.

“They were kind of surprised,” the 17-year-old said about club members at the school awards night. “They announced it was for an African American.”

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