Three students honored by NAACP
Breakfast was the most important meal of the day for three students Saturday morning at the Fifth Annual Scholars’ Achievement and Recognition Breakfast at the Youghiogheny Western Baptist Association near Uniontown. Hosted by the Fayette County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the event was held to honor Dr. F.L. Vaughns Memorial Scholarship recipients from three different schools.
Vaughns was past president of the Brownsville and Uniontown branches of the NAACP that is now recognized as the Fayette County Branch.
“He never failed to be on the front line of civil rights, not on the side line,” said Gwendolyn Ridgley, chairman of the Fayette County Branch.
Both traditional and non-traditional scholarships were awarded. The traditional scholarships were awarded to high school seniors who will further their education as they attend colleges in the fall. Katrina C. Marshall and Shirley Williamson, both of Albert Gallatin Area Senior High School, were awarded the top scholarship award of $1,000.
Williamson was unable to attend the breakfast, but both students maintained higher than a 4.0 grade-point average.
Marhsall plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh and will major in sociology. She hopes to become a social worker after she graduates from college.
Malcolm Jacobs of Laurel Highlands Senior High School was awarded a traditional scholarship for $500. With full tuition paid to California University of Pennsylvania, Jacobs plans to major in biology. He aspires to be involved with a career in the pharmaceuticals area after he graduates from college.
Jeanne Grooms of Republic was the recipient of the non-traditional scholarship for $500. This scholarship is reserved for those who have already graduated from high school and who have decided to go back to school to attend an institution of higher education. Grooms plans attending the Community College of Allegheny County, where she will enroll in the registered nursing program. The mother of two plans to work in pediatrics after graduation.
The Fayette County branch of the NAACP usually gives out two non-traditional scholarships. But only one was awarded this year. The other non-traditional scholarship is still open and will remain so until the fall.
Please contact Gwendolyn or Louis Ridgley at 724-439-0771 for more information.