The opportunity to experience salvation and discipleship in a Christ-centered environment can mold a child’s personality so they can grow into a responsible person in the future. The process guides their development, shapes their character, teaches them ethics, rights conduct, and promotes good behavior. Kory’s educational footprint did just that.
Pre-K / Seed of Righteousness Childcare Development Center - Temple Hills, MD
Kindergarten thru grade 4 / Grace Brethren Christian School - Clinton, MD
Grade 5 / Waldon Woods Elementary School - Clinton, MD
Grades 6-8 / Isaac J. Gourdine Middle School - Fort Washington, MD
Grades 9-11 / Oxon Hill High School - Oxon Hill, MD
Undergraduate / Prince George's Community College - Largo MD
Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church Children’s Sunday School - Fort Washington, MD
To learn more about the Kory Alexander Coates Memorial Scholarship application for Oxon Hill High School Seniors, contact Dr. Tameka Woodruff, Science & Technology Program Coordinator at 301-749-4300, ext. 84883.
High School Seniors who are members of Ebenezer AME Church, contact the Scholarship Ministry at scholarships@ebenezerame.org
Kory Alexander Coates Memorial Scholarship Fund
“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.”
— Lou Holtz
DREAM IT: It all begins with imagination. Hard work, determination, perseverance, and life experiences are all characteristics of a bright future. Kory prided himself on obtaining and maintaining excellent grades throughout his schooling, knowing one day the spotlight would illuminate spiritually and intellectually. Volunteering his gifts and talents to the church community and younger generation helped feed that imagination. Once he found his craft of building Legos and Brazilian Jui-Jitsu (BJJ) with the Lloyd Irvin Martial Arts Academy focusing on self-defense and combat sport, the sky was the limit. What God has for you is for you. Trust his timing. Trust his plan.
BUILD IT: During Kory’s initial cancer diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Lymphoma (AML) in January 2017, he was introduced to virtual learning way before the COVID -19 pandemic in 2020. Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC and Prince George’s County Home/Hospital acknowledged Kory's over achievement ability and did their best to keep up. He spent the entire seventh-grade academic year out of the classroom while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. In addition, the hospital’s education department streamed Isaac Gourdine Middle School's National Junior Honor Society program on May 11, 2017, introducing Kory as a member of the “Roars of a Scholar.” Before this, Kory was inducted into the National Elementary Honor Society during his one-year enrollment at Walden Woods for 5th grade.
GROW IT - Kory understood gaining knowledge and experience was necessary prior to graduating high school to adapt to the world as a young adult. Thus, attending the MD-4H Congress at the University of Maryland was a no-brainer. For one week, he lived the life of a college student on campus, networking with professionals about careers and involving himself with the community. After all, if he could complete five rounds of chemo as a pre-teen, he could do anything! Later, Kory enrolled in the Prince George's Community College (PGCC) Dual Enrollment Program to begin his undergraduate degree in the summer of 2020, soon after his 10th-grade promotion. He completed Introduction to Statistics and Introduction to Information Technology during the summer and Introduction to Computer-Aided Design in the fall. Unfortunately, health challenges overcame Kory during the first semester of 11th grade. At that time, the decision to place a hold on high school instruction and withdrawal from the Dual Enrollment program was disappointing. Despite this, Kory was presented with the Principal's Honor Roll and cumulative career GPA of 3.950, ending his high school year in November 2020. Please visit the Medical Journey page to read further about Kory's inspiring perseverance. "He lived his life as it was handed to him"
