By Mayor Martin Walsh

Earlier this month, I was excited to announce this year’s City of Boston Scholars with my Education Cabinet and the City’s Scholarship Committee. We recognized 35 students from our high schools and neighborhoods, and welcomed back 70 returning Scholars. This year, the City’s annual scholarship process administered $250,000 in total: awarding $2,500 to each Scholar. It’s wonderful that we’re able to give our students this gift—to help give them a strong start in their college careers, and to continue their education.

As Mayor, I am so impressed by our Scholars’ commitment to their education and their contributions to their communities. I’m thrilled that many of these students have decided to continue their education in and around the City of Boston. Over half of the Scholars are going on to attend great schools like Boston University, Northeastern University, and the University of Massachusetts.

The fact that so many talented students have chosen to pursue their degrees here in Boston and Massachusetts speaks to our high reputation for offering some of the best universities and colleges in the entire world. Over the years, we’ve seen so many of our city’s students go on to do incredible things with their talents, and they have made their home city so proud.

Exciting futures are ahead for all of our Scholars. But the future also brings challenges. College affordability is a mounting concern here in Boston, Massachusetts, and the entire country. The cost of college tuition has increased by 45 percent in the last decade—a price rising faster than nearly any other good or service in America. And as America’s biggest college town, we certainly feel the pinch.

That’s why, over the next few months, my Education Cabinet and the City’s Scholarship Committee will work with local students, educators, high education officials, and college access experts to identify ways to solve this problem. I am committed to ensuring that all Boston students find an affordable way to reach—and complete—a postsecondary education. I look forward to exploring ways to make this a reality.

Making college affordable is one important way we can repay our students for all of their hard work and achievements, and help them follow their dreams. To all of our Scholars, past and present: I want to say congratulations, again. Your entire city is proud of you. Never stop learning and contributing your talents to the community. If you stay true to the values that got you this far, you will show the world the best that Boston has to offer.

Congratulations to:

Esteban Enqiue, Roxbury Latin, East Boston

Harmony Chen, Boston Latin Academy, Charlestown

Sabrina Marzouki, Boston Latin Academy, Allston

Anna Gallagher, Boston Latin Academy, Allston

Kiana Newton, Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers, Dorchester

Kailey Tse-Harlow, Josiah Quincy Upper School, Chinatown

Nicole Frangolini, East Boston High School, East Boston

Samantha O’Brien, John D. O’Bryant High School, East Boston

Karina Ferzoco, Boston Latin School, Roslindale

Ghistla Williams Bly, Boston Latin Academy, Mission Hill

Giovanni Souto, City on a Hill, South End

Franklin Ortiz, South End

Jacqueline Perez, Josiah Quincy Upper School, North End

Sela Winder, Boston Community Leadership Academy

Kiara Person, Boston Collegiate Charter School, Dorchester

Alan Tanner, Boston Green Academy, Roxbury

Kevin Hua, John D. O’Bryant High School, Dorchester

Tam Hong, Boston Latin School, West Roxbury

Venezia Monteiro, Boston International High School, Dorchester

Lisa Pham, Boston Latin Academy, Dorchester

Jessica Fok, Boston Latin Academy, Mission Hill

Perla Guerrero, New Mission High School, Dorchester

Taisa Baptista Lima, Brighton High School, Dorchester

Khadija Ibrahim, South Boston

Denicio Campozano-Hill, Cathedral High School, Jamaica Plain

Casmire Kostigan, Boston Latin School, Dorchester

Ivanilde Semedo, Boston International High School, Dorchester

Tiffany Zheng, Josiah Quincy Upper School, Roxbury

Daniel Marifiote, East Boston High School, East Boston

Yazmine Navarro, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Mission Hill

Carlos Acevedo, Fenway High School, Jamaica Plain