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Schools

Rockville Scholars: Desmond Ellis

Montgomery College student is looking to make his mark in construction.

Name: Desmond Ellis

Age: 53

School: Montgomery College

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Achievement: Awarded a $1,000 scholarship grant from the Rockville Scholarship Foundation, Inc. for his academic achievements.

Key to success: “I am somebody who wants to succeed," said Ellis, who studies construction management at Montgomery College, where he is on the dean's list. "I love construction and I want to excel in it."

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In addition to his studies, Ellis also is a member of the United Methodist Men organization at his church, and served as its president for six years. Previously, Ellis worked at a construction company in Sierra Leone, where he specialized in building water mains.

"I want to leave my mark in the construction field," Ellis said. "I want to leave a legacy that people can look back on and say, ‘This is the type of guy, he did this job and he did it well.’ Even in my education, I would like to leave a legacy. ‘He didn’t mind his age, he went in and did what he was doing.’ I want people to look at that as an example of what they can achieve.”

Advice to others seeking a Rockville Scholarship Foundation, Inc. award: “Oh, study hard," Ellis said. "It takes a lot, it takes a lot of commitment. It takes a lot of commitment for what you want to do, what you want study. Just study hard, that’s all it takes. You’ve got to be committed.”

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