For about a couple of months now, Hollywood A-lister Denzel Washington has been in the Ark-La-Tex shooting his upcoming project, The Great Debaters. the actor/director, has been keeping a pretty low profile... But eartlier today he made a public apperance promoting higher education. Actor Denzel Washington, his wife Pauletta and a few of their children made a special appearance at Southern University Shreveport. Well this is something that we've been doing. And we like to do. And this is really my wife's baby. So I'm just here to support her," said Washington. For the past few years Pauletta has been championing the need for neuroscience research, by giving worthy college students an opportunity to study the brain at Cedar's Sinai Medical Center. "This is our 4th year, so we're so proud, that it's continuing and it's growing every year," said Mrs. Washington. "Education is always important in our family. So I'm feeling as if we're leaving a legacy." Sunday afternoon, three students received "The Washington Family Gifted Scholar in Neuroscience Award". Third year USC medical student Don Phillips was among them. "I'm amazingly grateful. Thank you very much, Pauletta and Denzel. It's amazing... It's an amazing opportunity and I'll make the most of it," said Phillips. USC student Henry Wu was also awarded the scholarship. Morehouse Medical student Connie Taylor was as excited about the getting the money, as she was about who she'd be getting it from. "I was really surprised. I was really excited though.So I forwarded the e-mail to all my friends and family and I called everybody!" said Taylor. "It was a great opportunity to meet Denzel Washington." But for Mr. and Mrs. Washington, it was all about increasing the awareness of the need for brain tumor research... And promoting higher education. "To me it's bigger than an Oscar because we're saving lives," said Pauletta. "I really just wanted to get these young people on camera because this is what it's all about. It's about giving young people an opportunity," said Denzel.
