2019 Scholarship Winners Announced
Alice Geoffray, the director of the Adult Education Center, referred to herself as the “Fairy Godmother to 431 Cinderellas,” aka the 431 graduates of the groundbreaking school that helped transform civil rights in New Orleans and the nation. But the only “magic” Alice attributed to the school’s success was its emphasis on strengthening what she called “self-concept” (self-image). The rest, Alice said, was due to the courage and unrelenting hard work of the graduates themselves.
A year ago, when we (Alice’s daughter and son, Jeanne and Jeff Geoffray) sat down and made our plans for a Scholarship Fund dedicated to the school’s legacy, our budget allowed for only two scholarships. But thanks to the generous contribution of former Adult Education Center teacher Floyd McLamb we were able to award five scholarships in 2019.
Below are our scholarship winners. We, Floyd, and everyone involved in this effort honor their courage, diligence and hard work, as Alice did for the Adult Education Center graduates who preceded them.
Legacy Winners
Catrease Newsome
Catrease Newsome is our first legacy scholarship recipient. She is the niece of Gail Collins Steele, graduate of the Class of 1970. After leaving high school and having a son, Catrease was inspired by her aunt who told her, “You are never too old to attend school.” Gail was practicing what she preached: at the time Aunt Gail was 45 and working on her Master’s degree. Eventually, Catrease applied to Southern University at New Orleans as a first-time freshman at the age of 38. Catrease is currently studying for her Master’s in Computer Information Systems at Southern University in New Orleans.
Mia Robertson
Mia Robertson is our second legacy recipient. She is the granddaughter of Paulette Robertson Dunams, Class of 1969. Mia is studying Exercise Physiology and Pre-Physical Therapy at Baylor University in Texas and expects to graduate with her Bachelor’s in 2022. Mia is inspired by her entire family, many of whom have multiple degrees. She says, “Being a successful woman in life is all that my family asks of me, and I want to prove them right. My family raised me to be someone that future generations can look up to, and I don’t want to let them down.”
General Scholarship Winners
Cassidy Valentine
Cassidy Valentine is studying biology at Dillard University in New Orleans. She says, “Nineteen years ago, I came into my mother’s life, causing her to pause her educational journey.” Cassidy’s mom eventually resumed her own educational journey and continues to inspire Cassidy along her own path.
Kevon Robie
Kevon Robie is studying business management at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge. Kevon is inspired by his father, who he hopes will get the chance to see him walk the stage in 2023 as a college graduate.
Vocational Scholarship Winner
Rose Brundage
Rose Brundage is studying Medical Billing and Coding at Goodwill Technical College in New Orleans. Rose says she is a “senior with a thrill for learning.” She is inspired by Ms. Jerilyn Collins, Director of Academics at Goodwill, who has been an advocate for her and others who want to pursue their educational goals.