The seventeenth annual African American Festival of Academic Excellence will be held on Saturday, June 3, at the Cole Field House on the campus of the University of Maryland, College Park.

Ceremonies for elementary-age children will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Middle and high school ceremonies will take place from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The festival was founded in 1990 by Mr. Roscoe Nix and Dr. Owen Nichols to salute the academic achievements of African American students in Montgomery County Public Schools. The celebration includes awards, scholarships, guest speakers, and entertainment.

Parents, students, children, and friends are welcome to attend the daylong celebration.

Among the featured awards will be the Banneker/Key Scholarship presented by the University of Maryland to Yamrot Negussie, Class of 2006 at Thomas. S. Wootton High School. The Banneker is the most prestigious merit scholarship offered by the university. It covers the cost of tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, and a book allowance for four years. Admission to the University Honors Program and eligibility for Honors housing are additional benefits.