With the 2018 NFL Draft approaching, the Cleveland Browns are now evaluating prospects for the Class of 2019 Cleveland Browns Marion Motley Scholarship, awarded annually to two motivated students whose long-term career goals could include working in education or sports. Students expected to graduate in Spring 2019 may apply for the scholarship, managed by College Now Greater Cleveland, through Sept. 30, 2018.

"The Marion Motley Scholarship is an integral part of our efforts to help provide high-quality educational opportunities through Browns Give Back, particularly as we get a chance to see the impact it has in the lives of the recipients and their families," said Vice President of the Cleveland Browns Foundation Renee Harvey. "College Now Greater Cleveland has done an exceptional job of helping us identify deserving candidates, and we are eager to find two more scholars who we know will continue to excel in the classroom and in their careers."

Now in its 13th year, the Cleveland Browns' and College Now Greater Cleveland's partnership for the Marion Motley Scholarship provides an opportunity for Northeast Ohio high school seniors to pursue their dreams of receiving a college education. The scholarship has awarded more than $240,000 to 24 students from the region. Among Marion Motley Scholarship recipients, 92 percent graduated or are on track to graduate, significantly surpassing the 26 percent national average among comparable demographics.

Two qualified students will be selected by a panel of Browns representatives and College Now Greater Cleveland staff and will be honored for their achievements during a Browns home game at FirstEnergy Stadium in December.

For full details and qualifications for the Class of 2019 Cleveland Browns Marion Motley scholarship, visit https://www.collegenowgc.org/find-scholarships/.

Last year, the Browns* *invited Courtney Dunn of Solon High School and Robert Garrett of St. Martin de Porres High School to the team's facility in Berea for second-round interviews but instead surprised the students with the news that they would receive the 2017 scholarships (ClevelandBrowns.com video and photo gallery).

"For years, the Cleveland Browns have served as an example of the business community's dedication to College Now's mission of educational attainment for Greater Cleveland students," said College Now Greater Cleveland CEO Lee Friedman. "The Cleveland Browns Foundation Marion Motley Scholarship is a crucial resource for the students we serve and their ability to persist through college to graduation. As College Now celebrates 50 years of college and career access innovation this year, we are grateful to have the Cleveland Browns as a longstanding partner, and we look forward to future years of collaboration and support of educational attainment for Greater Cleveland students."

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Recent Marion Motley Scholarship Recipient Snapshots:**

Rachel Mealy, University of Akron

Rachel Mealy of Springfield High School, a Class of 2014 Marion Motley Scholarship recipient, is scheduled to graduate with honors from the University of Akron and majors in exercise physiology and Spanish. Mealy will continue her education as she pursues a master's degree in science and global health at Notre Dame this fall.

"This scholarship has allowed me to pursue my diverse range of interests in health sciences, social sciences and modern languages," said Mealy. "I hope to use the Spanish language and my background in exercise science and psychology to assist in confronting the variety of health issues that plague developing countries. The Marion Motley scholarship has made all of this possible by relieving the financial burden that may have prevented me from achieving all that I have. I am extremely grateful for the support this scholarship has provided me with and all the people who make it possible to continue granting these awards to students each year. It is my hope that I can give back to students in a similar way someday in the future."

Raymon Malone Jr., Case Western Reserve University

Raymon Malone Jr. from the John Hay School of Science and Medicine is a member of the 2016 Marion Motley Scholarship class and was surprised by the Browns with his selection during a special visit to the team's facility in December 2015 (Video: 2016 Marion Motley Scholarship). Malone, who is on track to graduate from Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management in 2020, is majoring in leadership and entrepreneurship and is working for the school's Office of Undergraduate Studies, in addition to his active involvement with the Emerging Leaders Program and the Emerging Scholars Program.

"The Marion Motley scholarship has contributed to my success as it has allowed me to continue my education at a higher level," said Malone. "In addition, it has offered a supportive foundation of people invested in my future from the previous recipients to the College Now Greater Cleveland staff. I am unquestionably grateful for the Marion Motley scholarship and the great individuals behind it."

About the Cleveland Browns Marion Motley Scholarship:

The Cleveland Browns Marion Motley Scholarship, a four-year, renewable scholarship in the amount of $2,500 per year ($10,000 each), honors former Browns fullback and linebacker Marion Motley, who overcame many obstacles to break ground as one of the first African-American players in the NFL and played with the Browns from 1946-53. Enshrined in 1968, Motley was the second African-American inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his native Canton. He was a charter member of the Cleveland Browns Legends program in 2001 and was enshrined in the Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor's inaugural class of 2010.

Applicants must be high school seniors who will graduate in Spring 2019 and plan to major in areas that could lead to a career working in education or sports, such as but not limited to: accounting, business, communications, event management, exercise science, finance, graphic design, human resources, information technology, journalism, kinesiology, marketing/advertising, public relations or sports management.

About the Cleveland Browns and Browns Give Back:

The Browns Give Back to Northeast Ohio with a commitment to education and youth football while engaging the community through the team's signature First and Ten volunteer movement. For more information, visit www.clevelandbrowns.com/brownsgiveback. 

Education –A core focus of Browns Give Back is education, and the Cleveland Browns Foundation supports this mission through financial grants and other resources to local, education non-profits to ensure youth in Northeast Ohio receive the education and development they need as a foundation for independence and success. The Cleveland Browns Foundation has identified three areas of impact – school attendance, early learning and college and career readiness – with the goal of identifying opportunities, removing barriers and providing support for students to empower them for long-term success.

Youth Football– The Cleveland Browns are committed to assisting the development, safety and growth of youth and high school football throughout Northeast Ohio with year-round programming for players, coaches, officials and parents. Through camps, clinics and other initiatives, the Browns' goal is to promote healthy, social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of youth by enhancing opportunities for youth football participation and education.

First and Ten –Launched in June 2014, the Cleveland Browns First and Ten campaign is the team's community program, established to inspire fans to #give10 and help their communities by volunteering for 10 hours each year. Through First and Ten, the Browns are the only NFL club to promote a long-term volunteering program that unifies the team and its entire fan base, with the goal of impacting every individual's city across the globe, as well as the franchise's local community. To date, more than 1.5 million hours of volunteering have been pledged through First and Ten. All Browns fans are encouraged to join the volunteering effort by signing the First and Ten pledge on the team's website and by sharing their stories with #give10.

About College Now Greater Cleveland, Inc.:

For 50 years, College Now Greater Cleveland has been able to help students pursue educational opportunities that empower them to embark on rewarding careers and strengthen our community. College Now assists over 27,000 individuals each year, delivering college and career access advising, financial aid counseling and scholarship and retention services in schools, in the College Now Resource Center and through community-based programs and collaborations. For more information, visit www.collegenowgc.org.