Malik Gomes Cruz '19 Earns Frederick Douglass Scholarship
The Cambridge School of Weston is proud and excited to share that Malik Gomes Cruz has been accepted to the Frederick Douglass Distinguished Scholars (FDDS) program at American University.
“Established in 2009, the vision of the Frederick Douglass Distinguished Scholars program is to be the premier academic community for American University's most ambitious student and alumni leaders in pursuit of multidimensional excellence.”
As a program scholar, Malik will receive a scholarship covering tuition, board, and fees for all four years of his collegiate career. In a phone call with Malik and his college counselors, a program administrator shared that the school had received over 700 applications for the 18-19 admissions cycle, and that of those applicants, only a handful were awarded the scholarship.
“It feels beyond surreal to win this incredible award,” Malik shares. “With the Frederick Douglass Distinguished Scholars Program, I will be able to continue my passion for social justice advocacy and leadership. The FDDS program will provide me with the resources and connections I need to grow as a learner, student, and leader. I am extremely excited to be working with the other students in the program and esteemed faculty as I progress throughout my college years. I have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity and I plan to take advantage of it fully.”
In addition to serving as a dorm leader for the Trapelo Dorm, Malik has served as a leader for a number of student organizations including Diversity Committee, Gay Straight Alliance, Gender and Sexual Minorities, Queer People of Color, and SALSA (Students Advocating for Life without Substance Abuse). He has also participated in NAIS’s People of Color Conference (POCC) and Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC). In his time at CSW, Malik has been closely involved in the planning and execution of numerous campus events, including Diversity Day, Social Justice Day, Culture Fest, Dance Concert, Evening of the Arts, New Student Orientation and more.
Director of Student Programs for Equity & Inclusion Jordan Clark, who’s worked closely with Malik on a number of projects, describes him as a “truly strong leader at CSW.”
“The core of Malik’s skill set is his ability to listen to those around him and always be willing to adapt,” Jordan shares. “He leads with an empathy that allows him to connect with people in a sincere way. I cannot wait to see how Malik continues to use his opportunities to grow and effect change in the world.”
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.