LOS ANGELES /California Newswire/ — The Henry Armstrong Foundation announced this week that it has awarded its first round of college scholarships to five high school recipients who plan to pursue higher education in medicine or athletics. Each student was awarded $1,000 to aid in the cost of the initial application, tuition and book fees. The scholarship, named after Henry Armstrong, a World Triple Champion Boxer, was implemented to honor this gentleman who had a dream of attending medical school, but lacked the financial resources. As an alternative, he decided to pursue boxing as a career and rose to the top.

To date, he is the only boxer in boxing history to hold three world boxing titles simultaneously, in three different weight divisions within a 10-month period during 1938. He deeply cared about empowering youth to realize their dreams.

As a result, in the memory of Henry Armstrong, the scholarships are designed to help eliminate those financial boundaries and to promote more equal opportunity in college attendance.

“Several factors made these scholarships possible, but two are most prominent – the fighting spirit of my grandfather, Henry Armstrong, and the generous donation of $5,000 by the Lincy Foundation,” Edward Scott, Jr., founder of the Henry Armstrong Foundation, says. “We are so grateful for their support; they have been a blessing over the past few years.”

Scott adds that it was truly a community effort. 102.3 KJLH Radio Free worked to get the word out about the scholarship program and Dream Vision Realty in Los Angeles has been a supportive sponsor.

About the Henry Armstrong Foundation

Founded in 2006, the Henry Armstrong Foundation continues to partner with other organizations such as The Midnight Mission and Feed the Children. They also sponsor summer camp for children and support the Junior Achievement Foundation’s Annual Campaign Fundraiser to grow and strengthen its mission. One of its ultimate goals is to develop a new youth center to replace the old one founded in 1952, and to empower and enhance young people’s self-esteem through entrepreneur/vocational training and sports programs in the city of Los Angeles.

To view a complete list of the scholarship winners, visit: www.HenryArmstrongFoundation.org .