Ra’vonte Harbin is the first scholarship recipient
Aug. 3, 2015
LOUISVILLE, Ky- A gift from Petrino Family Foundation has established the Inaugural Cardinal Covenant Petrino Family Foundation Scholarship, which will be awarded this year to a student from the West End School Program.
Ra’vonte Harbin, who attended the West End School from 2008-11, will be the initial recipient of a four-year full scholarship to Louisville on behalf of the foundation, which looks to develop a relationship with the student in an effort to help them achieve their academic goals.
“The city of Louisville has programs that are working tirelessly to have a much needed and positive affect on our youth,” Petrino said. “One program in particular is the West End Program. They are making a substantial difference in the lives of many.”
Petrino added, ”They are doing exactly what the Petrino Family Foundation was established for – inspiring action, creating change and improving lives. This is our way to say thank you to the West End Program for assisting a young man that has worked diligently to achieve academic success and has the desire to further his education at The University of Louisville. It is an honor to present Ra’vonte Harbin as the first recipient of the Inaugural Cardinal Covenant Petrino Family Foundation Scholarship.”
A Louisville native, Harbin attended The Louisville Collegiate School for three years before transferring to St. Francis High where he graduated from this spring. Harbin was a member of the basketball team, where he served as team captain. He also participated in a number of extracurricular activities among which were plays, and the Black Students Association and the Me to We Club.
“I consider myself a very fortunate young man to have attended and graduated from the West End School,” Harbin said. “That opportunity enabled me to receive a full scholarship to a local Louisville private High School, which I graduated from this past spring.”
“I now consider myself blessed for being the recipient of this scholarship. I am so fortunate to be the first West End graduate to attend the University of Louisville. I am also extremely appreciative of Coach Petrino and the Petrino Family Foundation for the opportunity that they have provided to me. I look forward to the opportunity to attend Louisville and work hard toward achieving a college degree.”
“As board chair of the West End School and on behalf of the entire West End community, I would like to say how proud we are of Ra’vonte and his accomplishments to date,” Chairman of the West End Boys School Paul Perconti said. “We are excited that he is going to pursue his college education at Louisville. We would particularly like to thank Coach Petrino and the Petrino Family Foundation for providing Ra’vonte with this scholarship.”
The foundation will award another scholarship following the completion of the four-year commitment.
