Southlake, Texas, June 23rd, 2009-Atlantic Housing Helps Scholarship Student Attend Notre Dame

June 23, 2009 - PRLog -- Scottie Lee Smith II, a native of Houston, Texas and an Atlantic Housing Foundation scholarship recipient, has been accepted to Notre Dame University.  In addition to receiving an Atlantic Housing Foundation Scholarship, Mr. Smith also served on the Board of Trustees of Atlantic Housing Foundation, Inc. for two years.  Mr. Smith’s combination of life experiences of youthfulness and academic studies brought a unique perspective to the Board of Trustees.  Atlantic Housing Foundation awards scholarships to students from low and moderate income households that have risen out of financial and personal hardship through academic excellence and determination.

Mr. Smith is one of 12 siblings and has become a role model for his entire family.  His family has faced many crisis situations. 14 years ago Scottie’s father was diagnosed with diabetes.  He struggled to follow his treatment and started deteriorating then suffered kidney failure resulting in his father losing his job.  During this period Scottie’s father underwent 30 surgeries and eventually lost kidney function.  As the primary home care provider, Scottie’s mother was not able to work during this time. With all this happening, Scottie applied to college. Thankfully, his father eventually received a kidney transplant and Scottie's mother was able to return to work.  Scottie has worked hard to excel at school and pay for his education with two and three jobs at a time.

Scottie Smith is an excellent example of what can be accomplished through hard work and sacrifice.  Mr. Smith attributes his success to the fact his family has remained strong, prayed hard and helped Scottie make good choices.  Scottie started playing football in high school at Jones High School in Houston, Texas.  He excelled and was all defensive and all offensive city player.  This earned him a preferred walk on status for the University of North Texas.  Scottie decided football would not be a big benefit in the long run and left the program to focus on school and work

During his time at the University of North Texas, Mr. Smith was a member of the UNT Honors College, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, National Association of Black Accountants, INROADS, NAACP Houston Chapter and ACI-SO competitor.   Mr. Smith has been accepted as a graduate student at The University of Notre Dame where he will pursue his MBA with a concentration in finance.

Mr. Smith has selected a proverb as the theme for his graduation and continued education at Notre Dame, “There is surely a future for you and your hope will not be cut off.  Listen, my son, be wise and keep your heart on the right path . . . Proverbs 23:18-19.

Atlantic Housing Foundation, Inc. is proud to have been a part of Mr. Smith’s success and looks forward to what he will accomplish in the future.  Atlantic Housing Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization whose mission is to foster, support, acquire, construct, rehabilitate and operate quality affordable housing for low-income persons and families, the elderly and mentally or physically disabled persons.  Atlantic Housing currently owns and operates nearly 8,000 apartment units in over 30 apartment communities in Texas, Florida and South Carolina. To date, Atlantic Housing Foundation, Inc. has provided over 87 scholarships to university students in Florida, Texas and South Carolina.

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The mission of Atlantic Housing Foundation, Inc. is to promote and preserve quality affordable housing and related services for low and moderate income families, helping residents to improve their lives.