Barbara Bigelow Memorial Scholarship
London O. Gaston
London Olivia Sydney Gaston, daughter of Howard Gaston, Jr. and Shondria Covington, is a recent graduate of Westlake High School in Atlanta, GA where she was enrolled as a Magnet/IB Program student. As an avid lover of dance, London is a three-year veteran of the Westlake Blue Reign Dance line, the award-winning Westlake Dance Ensemble, and a company dancer at Sky Dance Academy since 2020. She also serves her community through organizations like the Westlake Mighty Marching Lions and Jack and Jill of America, Inc where she is the outgoing Teen President of her chapter.
Her honors and accomplishments include Westlake High School Top 25 in the class of 2024, 2024 Art Student of the Year, Georgia Certificate of Merit recipient, National African American Recognition Award recipient, Principal’s Scholar (four years), National Honor Society, and Miss 12th Grade.
In the fall, London will attend Alabama A&M University where she will study Biology Pre-Med. After college, she will attend medical school and aspires to become a surgeon.
Barbara Bigelow Memorial Scholarship
Jordyn White
Jordyn White, a graduate of Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, GA., prides herself on being involved in activities and organizations within the school and community. As a motivated team player, Jordyn always looks to enhance her knowledge while continuing to learn the life lessons needed to succeed. She was in the top 5% of her class, President of her Jack and Jill chapter, Class Secretary, Captain of the school’s cheerleading team, and active in many community service projects as an ambassador at school and a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Science National Honor Society, and Health Occupations Students of America. Jordyn is a leader and knows how much it means to be the voice and face of an organization. As Martin Luther King, Jr. stated, “Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly,” and I want to be part of a community where all students’ actions and achievements help each other. Jordyn will attend Spelman College this fall, majoring in psychology/biology Pre-medicine, with the career goal of becoming a dermatologist. Her path may be long and filled with triumphs and challenges, but she is prepared, committed, and working with that end goal in mind.
East Point College Park Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Scholarship
Kayla Ssendagire
Kayla Ssendagire is a graduate of Brookwood High School in Snellville, GA. Throughout her time in high school, she enjoyed being part of numerous clubs, participating in various school events, and creating lifelong relationships with her teachers and peers. Kayla’s proudest achievement is her work as a high school mentor to middle school girls at her church. She was blessed with the opportunity to pour into a group of five young women every week from their sixth grade to eighth-grade year. Middle school is a very formative time and having positive role models and mentors eases the process. Kayla and the young girls shared many laughs and shed a couple of tears, but mainly grew their relationships with God. Through the trials and tribulations of middle school, she felt honored to witness the development of their faith.
Kayla will attend the University of Georgia and major in Psychology on the Pre-Med track with a minor in Spanish. In the future, she would like to become an OB/GYN to serve women in her community. As she looks towards the future, the bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11 gives her strength and courage to succeed in every endeavor.
FECDC Scholarship
Megan Allen
Megan Allen is 17 years old and a recent graduate of Whitewater High School. During her schooling, she maintained high honors along with managing dual enrollment. She was involved in National Honors Society, National English Honors Society, National Arts Honors Society, National Social Studies Honors Society, Art Club and Beta Club. To give back to her community, Megan volunteers as a Mentor for the Hi-Teen Program at Sara Harp Minter Elementary after school program. She aids students with their academic work and social skills to better prepare them for the rest of their school career. She also gives back by helping a family friend with her childcare service. In the fall, Megan will attend Savannah College of Art and Design at the Savannah, GA campus with a major in film and television. Megan is very appreciative of this opportunity and looking forward to her future.
Harvey Newton Memorial Scholarship
Julissa Reese
Julissa Reese is a graduate of Langston Hughes High School. While in school, she was in the AVID program, a dual enrollment student, an AP and Honors scholar, in addition to participating in the work-based learning program. Participating in all these fantastic programs offered Julissa access to amazing opportunities to advance. Through delivering tours to the eighth grade, tutoring underclassmen, and assisting instructors with various activities, she gained new insight into educators’ daily job responsibilities and broadened her understanding of new tasks and duties required to support students. After graduation, Julissa will pursue a degree focused on hospitality and business at Kennesaw State University. A quote that guides her in life is “Life has no limitations; except the ones you make." by Les Brown.
Johnson Family Scholarship
Campbell Richey
Campbell Richey is a graduate of Whitewater High and has a passion for helping others. She volunteers as a Hi-Teen Mentor for struggling elementary students, serves as an Assistant Volleyball coach for Fayette Parks & Rec, a volunteer at Bloom, supporting local foster families, serves at Midwest Food Bank, and makes blankets for NICU babies through Project Snuggle.
In addition to being devoted to helping her community, Campbell also volunteered in public service at school. She was the Youth Action Team President, Student Council President, Principal’s Advisory Council Member, and involved in fifteen campus activities, including five honor societies. She graduated in the top 15% of her class with a 4.0 GPA and achieved the highest GPA in the Business pathway.
Campbell was also a tri-sport varsity athlete in Whitewater Volleyball (Capt.), Flag Football (Capt.), and Tennis and went to GHSA State Playoffs in all three. In her free time, she works part-time to save for college. Campbell will attend the University of North Georgia in the fall as a Finance major. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Johnson & Freeman, LLC Scholarship
Jerry “Tre” Clay, III
Tre’ is a graduate from Charles R. Drew Charter School. He is a scholar-athlete committed to serving others. In addition to being an honor roll student, Tre’ is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and Spanish Honor Society among others. He is also a 4-year letterman on the varsity golf team. Tre’ will attend Alabama A&M University to pursue a dual degree / MBA program while majoring in business management. Upon earning his undergraduate degree, he plans to attend law school to study sports / contract law. Tre’s career aspiration is to become a sports agent. Ultimately, his goal is to be a General Manager or, perhaps, an owner of a professional sports team. Beyond his career aspirations, Tre’ understands that a life is not important except in its impact on other lives. Muhammad Ali once said, “Service to others is the rent we pay for our time here on earth.” As he prepares to matriculate through college and begin his life’s journey, he will follow his moral compass while embracing his confidence and convictions. Tre’ will remain committed to community service and volunteerism and always aim to do the right things.
KidCare Pediatrics & We Care Pediatric and Adolescent Group Scholarship
Kayla Elder
Kayla Abigail Elder is a Woodward Academy alumni who graduated with summa cum laude honors and 4.3 GPA. She has won many academic awards and is a member of the National Honor Society. Kayla, affectionately called Abby by close family and friends, is an active member of Zion Hill Baptist Church, as well as Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta for the past ten years. At Woodward Academy, she served as a Peer Leader and student member of the Honor Council/Discipline Board. She was Student Government Secretary for two years and a writer for the school newsletter. Kayla is a mentor for young children with Horizons Atlanta, a mentor for young ladies with Dollhouse Mentorship Club, and a volunteer with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Kayla enjoys serving as City of Atlanta Creative and Civic Youth Ambassador for the Mayor’s Office, where she helps organize opportunities for youth around the city. She loves writing, painting, and inspiring others. Kayla will attend Spelman College, majoring in biology and minor in writing. She plans to continue making a difference within her community and to have a career in medicine helping others.
P.A.M.M.Scholarship
Niles Holt
Niles Holt was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Ms. Denise Holt. At an early age, Niles demonstrated a natural aptitude and passion for academics and music, while his mother made excellence the standard. Niles is the concertmaster of the Chamber Honors Orchestra and studies violin, piano, voice, and guitar at Guitar Shed. A tireless leader, Niles is the national anchor & reporter for Kappa League TV, the founder & leader of the Decatur Makers PC Build Club, and an usher in the Zion Hill Baptist Church Mighty Men’s Ministry. His favorite quote comes from Michael Jordan: “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” This sentiment reminds Niles to stop fearing failure, for losing is a part of winning.
Niles will attend Howard University and study music and business, supporting his long-term goals of becoming a successful content creator and one of the greatest musicians ever. He plans to fully immerse into his studies, letting his desire to become the greatest inform his every decision. Niles will use his platform to share his journey of self-discovery and inspire others to improve their lives, work towards their dreams, and live passion-filled lives.
Pota Estel Coston Memorial Scholarship
Gabriel Mawanda
Gabriel Mawanda was a dedicated high-school student-athlete and recent graduate of McIntosh High School. While in school, he excelled in Science, Math, Physics, and Engineering and is guided by a passion to learn new things. He has played soccer since he was four years old. Soccer is a place where Gabriel can be himself, free from the stresses of everyday life. This sport gave him the opportunity to showcase his abilities outside of the classroom. Moreover, he always strives to think outside of the box while in the classroom, looking to go above and beyond with any task at hand. Gabriel has taken part of an internship in Uganda, the birthplace of my father, where he performed routine patient care tasks and tested for the all-too-common tropical diseases. He also took part in a job shadowing opportunity at Delta Headquarters where he was able to work under an Aerospace Engineer. He will further his education at Georgia Institute of Technology where Gabriel plans to major in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Business and/or French.
Pota Estel Coston Memorial Scholarship
Taylor Williams
Taylor M. Williams is a graduate of Fayette County High School in Fayetteville, GA. Her passion for service and curiosity of the law has been a driving force throughout her academic career. She has maintained a 4.278 GPA, while participating in Student Government, Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, and Varsity Cheerleading. Taylor is thrilled to further her education at the University of Georgia. She will be majoring in political science with a concentration in pre-law.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Taylor is an active member of the community. She has volunteered over 60 hours in her community throughout high school. Her goal is to use her education in political science to make a difference in the world by becoming a lawyer. She is particularly interested in civil law. Taylor plans to represent the unprivileged as they navigate their legal matters. Additionally, she plans to give guidance and spread awareness of the various laws that affect her peers and her community. With the knowledge and skills that she will gain from the University of Georgia, she is confident that she will make a meaningful contribution to the field of Law and her community.
Powered by Zerret Scholarship
Bianca Egwu
Bianca Egwu is a graduate of South Cobb High School in Austell, Georgia. Throughout her high school career, she was actively involved in many activities which included color guard/ marching band, majorette, dance, Beta Club, Chick- fil-a leader's Academy, and Ladies of Unity. Bianca enjoys increasing her opportunities for community involvement such as helping with environmental cleanup and food drives for her family church. Furthermore, she was selected to participate in two coding programs, Girls who Code and Kode with Klossy. Through Kode with Klossy she developed her own functional mini app and Girls who Code gave her the chance to speak up about ways for closing the gender gap in STEM. Girls who Code also taught her about the different languages in computer science as well. Thanks to programs such as Kode with Klossy it opened her eyes to the future as Bianca will major in computer science in the fall 2024 at Fort Valley State University in the Honors Program and representing the 5 Strong Foundation as a Scholar.
Robert J. Holmes Memorial Scholarship
Isabel Yang
Isabel Yang is a graduate of Douglas County High School’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program. Along with her rigorous IB coursework, she is an AP Scholar and her school district’s PAGE STAR Student. She is also an avid lover of the humanities and social sciences and was selected for the Governor’s Honors Program (GHP), as a Washington Youth Tour Delegate, and honored with the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Excellence in American History Award.
Outside of academics, Isabel also prides herself on being engaged in both her local and larger nationwide community. At school, she is involved in DECA, Varsity Tennis, TOME Society, and co-founded the Asian Pacific Islander Alliance. Outside of the classroom, Isabel has served on the Douglas County Youth Commission and interned at the Equal Nonprofit. Additionally, last summer, she worked three jobs. However, the activity most dear to her is the free-of-charge tennis camp she founded for Douglasville youth—which works to bridge the income gap in youth sports. For her extensive community work and ambitious career aspirations, Isabel was selected as a Bank of America Student Leader and Morgan Stanley Jumpstart Scholar.
She will attend Emory University as a Goizueta Scholar studying Business Administration.