Shorewood grad awarded university grant to study economic development in Belize

Josh White, from Shoreline, Washington, a rising senior at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, has been awarded a Johnson Opportunity Grant.

White will travel to Ambergris, Belize, to study economic development in an area that contrasts a tourist hotspot alongside native inhabitants living in poor conditions. He will volunteer at Raise Me Up, a local non-profit organization and at Holy Cross Anglican School, a local school.

White will identify future projects that can be funded by the General Development Initiative, a microfinance organization created, owned and operated by Washington and Lee students.

White is a business administration major and the project is part of the Shepherd International Internship Program. White is a member of W and L’s Venture Club.

The grants are designed to help all 29 award-winners in their future careers and fields of study and are funded as part of the Johnson Program in Leadership and Integrity at Washington and Lee. They cover living, travel and other costs associated with the students' proposed activities and vary in amount from $1,000 to $4,500.

White is a graduate of Shorewood High School.