Family Role Models Key to Scholarship Winners’ Success
Our new round of spring scholarship recipients credit parents, grandparents, and others as their inspiration.
Our spring round of scholarship winners make up an eclectic group from different backgrounds. Yet they all have one thing in common:
These determined, hardworking students credit their family and extended family’s support and example as to why they are pursuing higher education and why they want to succeed in the workplace. Our winners want to pay it forward, yes, but they also want to deeply honor those who have stood by them every step of the way, in faith and in love.
In her application, scholarship winner Sasha Williams told us of her beloved grandfather, JD, who had to drop out of grade school to help his family sharecrop and who never gave up his dream of learning to read … and finally learned how in his 70s in an adult literacy class. “He constantly preached the importance of acquiring an education to anyone that would listen,” Sasha wrote.
It is with great pride that we introduce you to our latest scholarship winners:
Jermaine Davis
Jermaine Davis is currently at Howard University in Washington, D.C., with a 4.0 GPA, in pursuit of a bachelor of arts in film production. Jermaine originally began college after high school, but then left after a year. Over some time, he saw the wisdom of his grandmother’s desire for him to return, and so he has. “She understood more than I did at a young age how important having a degree would be in today’s society. She often told me that no matter where I would go in this world and what others would tell me that they could never take my education away from me.” Jermaine will graduate in 2022.
Annie Jefferson
Annie Jefferson credits her mother as her inspiration in pursuing her master’s in the field of communicative science disorders at Southeastern Louisiana University. (Her undergraduate studies were in speech language pathology and audiology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.) As a result of having scarlet fever as a child, Annie’s mother developed lifelong hearing difficulties, yet that did not stop her from becoming a nurse and achieving other significant goals. “Speech pathology is more than just a major, it is my passion and purpose,” says Annie. “My mother didn’t have anyone to guide or encourage her. She encouraged herself and defeated the odds that come against others like her. She is the reason I continue to push myself.”
Jayla Neco
Jayla Neco has been motivated by her grandmother, a retired teacher. “Every summer, I would get a pile of books from my grandmother,” Jayla wrote in her winning application. “These books would range from language books to math books to reading books, and they would help me prepare for the upcoming school year.” Jayla is studying for a bachelor’s in chemistry at Howard University. She will graduate in 2024. Jayla is one of our Legacy Scholarships recipients. Her aunt, Joyce Bryant Numan, graduated from the Adult Education Center in 1970.
Jay Oliphant
Jay Oliphant has had a 28-year career and counting in law enforcement. And while a college degree is not required for his field, his wife has been applying gentle pressure for years for Jay to get a degree. Everyone should have an education to fall back on, she has told him, and Jay listened. He will graduate in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Unified Public Safety Administration from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Jay also works full-time, while juggling being a parent and spouse.
Leandrew Pate III
Leandrew Pate III is obtaining his bachelor of science, in the field of biology with a concentration in integrative sciences, at Southeastern Louisiana University. His mother is the person, he says, who inspires him to be motivated and continue his educational journey. “To be honest, without my mother I don't know where I would be in life if it wasn't for her. As I like to say, she is an angel sent … to help aid me on this journey to becoming a doctor.” Pate will graduate in 2021.
Paulina Webber
Paulina Webber is studying for a bachelor’s in English at Dillard University in New Orleans. Her mother took every opportunity, and then some, to expand Paulina’s educational journey when her daughter was growing up. “My mother always provided me with support for outside endeavors including studying abroad, applying for scholarships, enrolling in mentorship and leadership programs, attending lectures, and any other opportunities I got my hands on. … My mother frequently referenced the words of Malcolm X, ‘Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.’ My mother has inspired me to prepare today.” Paulina will graduate in 2023.
Sasha Williams
Sasha Williams, whom we mentioned in our introduction, is a Ph.D. candidate in clinical psychology at Jackson State University. Her grandfather was, and remains, her beacon of light.
Growing up, a white schoolteacher changed her grandfather’s name, which was a source of great pain as it stripped him of his identity. “Throughout his life, (my grandfather) often worked two to three jobs simultaneously,” Sasha wrote. “Nearly every conversation I had with my grandfather transitioned into a discussion about my educational goals and plans. He’d conclude each conversation by stating, ‘They can take your name, but they can’t take your learning. Keep going and I’m proud of you.’ ” Sasha’s grandfather passed away in 2020.
We trust you are as impressed and inspired by our scholarship winners as we are!
If you have donated to The 431 Exchange for this scholarship cycle, we want to extend a profound thank you. And if you know of a deserving student, please encourage them to apply for our next round.