Rapper Jay-Z has announced the winners of an essay contest launched in December of 2005.
The rapper will donate $30,000 to be shared among the six winning New York/New Jersey area schools.
Jay-Z, an owner of The New Jersey Nets, held the contest in conjunction with the Charlotte Bobcats majority owner Mr. Robert Johnson and media partner AllHipHop.com.
Jay-Z and Johnson made the contest interesting by betting which one of their teams could score 80 points first during a December 14th game.
The Bobcats reached the 80-point goal first, leading Jay-Z to donate the $30,000 prize.
“It was great to see the students’ school spirit in their essays,” Jay-Z said. “They showed they want a well-rounded education in a comfortable environment. I hope that these donations help them to achieve their goals.”
The winning schools will receive $5,000 each. Below is a listing of the winners.
Benjamin Banneker Academy for Community Development in Brooklyn
P.S. 89 in The Bronx
Liberty High School in Jersey City
Phifer Middle School in Pennsauken, NJ
Cedar Grove Memorial Middle School in Cedar Grove, NJ
Health Professions & Human Services High School in Manhattan.
