Staten Island Senior Student Athlete At Susan Wagner HS Receives 2023 Elite 32 Scholarship From Ballin4Peace
Mehki Jackson (Senior, Susan E. Wagner High School) Awarded NYC Elite 32 Scholarship
1- Is this a fixed amount scholarship, or was it based on tuition or something else?
A- Fixed amount based on sponsors support
2- The article said this was the first student awarded this scholarship. Is it a single student per year, or a different time frame, that will be awarded going forward?
A- This is the first year Ballin’ 4 Peace has issued this scholarship.
3- Was the scholarship awarded based only on the performance on the two days of the tournament? If a student won one day and not the second day, would the award have been split between the two winners, or how would that work in the future?
A- Based on his recent play with Wagner and the NYC Elite 32 Classic presented by Ballin’ 4 Peace.
4- Has the student, Mr. Jackson, already chosen his college and major? Would he be able to share those choices with us?
A- Mehki Jackson is currently undeclared/undecided.
See the article from Ballin4Peace regarding this announcement below:
Ballin’ 4 Peace would like to congratulate and recognize Mehki Jackson, a Senior and student-athlete at Susan E. Wagner High School in Staten Island, for being awarded the 2023 NYC Elite 32 Scholarship.
Jackson was presented with the scholarship news at the recent NYC Elite 32 Holiday Classic held on Saturday, December 27, and Sunday, December 28, at Springfield High School in Queens, New York.
Presented by Ballin’ 4 Peace, the two day basketball tournament highlighted some of the top Junior Varsity and Varsity basketball teams and players from across New York City, where the power forward Jackson shined on the court.
Thanks to OWYN, SLAM Magazine, and Ballin’ 4 Peace Founder, Haron Hargrave, Jackson was awarded a $2,500 scholarship award to be used for future college endeavors and expenses.
An alum of Campus Magnet High School (Queens), and a former college basketball basketball player himself at Chaffey College and Sacramento State, Haron Hargrave knows the long road to and through college can be costly, even for student-athletes. That’s why he created the Ballin’ 4 Peace Scholarship — to give students a way to start planning and preparing for what their future holds in college.
“I want to give these guys the opportunity I did not have,” said Haron Hargrave.
“I have been a college athlete and student, and I know how hard it can be just to make ends meet. That’s why a holiday tournament like this, and the chance to reward a student and help further their education is so important to [our] communities.”
For Jackson, receiving the NYC Elite 32 Scholarship and standing out at the tournament was part of an unforgettable holiday season filled with game winners and big shots. Prior to playing at the NYC Elite 32 Classic, Jackson sunk a buzzer-beater to give Wagner the 72-70 win against Forest Hills in their season opening game at the Hersh Tip-Off Classic in Brooklyn. Jackson followed-up the performance with another impressive game, this time finishing with a game-high 21 points in a 63-55 upset victory over defending NYC PSAL champs, Eagle Academy II.
With such memorable moments closing out 2023 on the court, it’s only fitting that Jackson would become the first recipient of the NYC Elite 32 Scholarship.
“Where I come from, there’s not always the funds so this will help a lot,” said Mehki Jackson after receiving the scholarship on day two of the holiday tournament.
Big shots. Big games. And another big reason why Ballin’ 4 Peace is proud to applaud Mekhi Jackson for his accomplishments.
Banner Image: Mekhi Jackson holding scholarship award. All Images Credit – Ballin4Peace
Ballin' 4 Peace
Promoting a message of peace and unity across New York City, 501(c)3 non-profit organization Ballin' 4 Peace has impacted communities on and off the court since 2012. The organization was founded by Queens native and former D1 guard at Sacramento State -- Haron Hargrave -- in response to a tragedy of gun violence, and is committed to steering NYC youth away from violence. By promoting peace through sports, Ballin' 4 Peace has partnered with the NYPD, NYC Parks & Rec. Department, The Junior Knicks, the NBA Players Association, Wilson Basketball, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and NYC Mayor Eric Adams, among other notables and organizations who have partnered with Ballin' 4 Peace. Learn more about Ballin' 4 Peace by visiting www.ballin4peace.org.
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