PHILADELPHIA –- Six college bound students from West Philadelphia have been awarded scholarships from Penn Volunteers in Public Service, Penn VIPS, and the Business Services Division at the University of Pennsylvania. The winners are:

• Dennis Robinson from Bartram High School
• Teria Fennell from Overbrook High School
• Tyrik Thorn from William L. Sayre High School
• Tanzin Fatima and Samuel Felli from University City High School
• Eric Yates from West Philadelphia High School

An awards ceremony honoring the students will be held June 9 at 4 p.m. at the Sheraton University City Hotel on Penn’s campus, at 36th and Chestnut Streets. MSNBC Political Analyst Joe Watkins will give the keynote speech.

For 18 years the awards program has provided up to $1,000 in non-tuition scholarships to college bound students from West Philadelphia high schools. Honorees are chosen based on their community service and academic excellence. Scholarship recipients will also receive Penn backpacks, flash drives, Penn Ice Rink passes, computers, mini-refrigerators, alarm clocks and TVs.

Sponsors and contributors to the program include Penn Parking Services, Penn Bookstore, Penn Computer Connection, Penn Ice Rink, PennMOVES, Publication Services, the Hilton Inn at Penn, Penn’s Netter Center for Community Partnerships, Office Depot, Yvonne Paterson, Penn ProWomen, Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Milton Rossman, and Unique Advantage Partnership.