Today at 2:20 a.m.
by Special to The Commercial
The annual Valentine’s Scholarship Fundraiser, hosted by the Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. in Pine Bluff, brought together more than 700 attendees to witness 26 students receive scholarships.
“Alpha Phi Alpha’s commitment to their National Initiative, Go to High School, Go to College, was evident through the 26 $1,000 scholarships awarded to deserving youth, underscoring the organization’s dedication to assisting students in achieving their educational aspirations,” according to a news release.
The fund-raising gala was held at the Pine Bluff Convention Center on Feb. 14.
“The evening served as a testament to the unity and generosity of the Pine Bluff community, showcasing how collective efforts can uplift and inspire individuals to reach their full potential. As we reflect on the success of this event, it is clear that the impact of these scholarships will resonate for years to come, paving the way for a brighter and more promising future for all those who benefit from them,” according to the release.
Here are the 26 scholarship recipients, their scholarship donors and their future plans:
Mekhi Adams, Pine Bluff High School – Brother Charles and Betty Wesson Alpha Jewel Scholarship. Adams, with a grade point average of 3.6, is planning to attend the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Adams is a part of the PBHS choir, works with the youth department at church and works with TOPPS. While attending UAPB, he plans on becoming a part of the Vesper Choir while majoring in industrial technology to become a welder.
Sinez Herring, Pine Bluff High School – Norman J. Toney Alpha Jewel Scholarship, sponsored by Brother Larry Kindle in honor of his brother. Herring has a 3.3 GPA and plans to attend UAPB. Herring is involved in the Ivy Center for Education, baseball, is vice president of the PBHS Gentlemen’s Club and is vice president of the Kappa League. While attending UAPB, he plans to major in industrial technology with the goal to become successful so that he can show his full potential and make a positive impact for his community.
Jaylon Savage, Pine Bluff High School – Brother Frank Dorsey II Alpha Jewel Scholarship. He has a GPA of 3.08 and plans to attend UAPB. Savage is a member of Pleasant View Ministry, Volunteer National Inventors Hall of Fame and FBLA. While attending UAPB, he plans to major in industrial technology to become an engineer.
Ja’Voni Jackson, Pine Bluff High School – Brother Dr. Hazell Reed Alpha Jewel Scholarship. With a 3.78 GPA, Jackson aspires to attend UAPB. Jackson is involved in the Gentlemen’s Club, Kappa League, Pathway Academy, Robotics Club, Version Engineering Program and is also on the PBHS football team. After graduation, he plans to major in applied engineering or agricultural engineering with the goal of becoming an operation engineer.
Corolas Price, White Hall High School – Late Rosetta Morgan Alpha Jewel Scholarship, sponsored by Brother James and Shirley Word. With a 3.4 GPA, Price plans to attend the University of Central Arkansas. Price is involved in TOPPS, Beta Club, FCCLA, and NSHSS. While attending UCA, he plans to major in nursing to become a registered nurse.
Jaide Sanders, Pine Bluff High School – Brother Dr. Toarian Milem Alpha Jewel Scholarship. Sanders has a GPA of 4.1 and aspires to attend Southern University. Sanders is involved in the National Honor Society, has been an honor student eight times, is a PBHS varsity cheerleade and is No. 1 in her 2025 PBHS class. She is a member of the student council, FBLA and a program with the Pine Bluff Police Department. While attending Southern, she plans to major in nursing and become a pediatric nurse.
Ciara Knowles, Watson Chapel High School – Brother Booker T. and late Ruthie Clemons Alpha Jewel Scholarship. With a GPA of 3.4, Knowles plans to attend Jackson State University. Knowles is a member of FCCLA, FBLA, JROTC Archery Club, Real Estate Club and Art Club. While attending JSU, she plans to major in business administration and have a career in real estate and custom design.
X’Zaeviun Sims, Pine Bluff High School – Late Brother Artis Mendenhall Alpha Jewel Scholarship, sponsored by Brother Calvin and Genevia Thomas. With a GPA of 2.7, Sims wants to attend the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Sims is involved in FBLA as an officer, AFJROTC, Boys State as a delegate, Gentlemen’s Club as an officer and New Life Church as an instructor. While attending U of A, he plans to major in political science with a goal to become a public health director/Air Force officer.
Kevin Marcus, Watson Chapel High School – Brother Dr. Roy and Keidra Burrell Alpha Jewel Scholarship. With his 4.0 GPA, Marcus aspires to attend Morehouse College. He is involved in JROTC, Beta Club, Junior Achievement, media and children ministry at his church, Destiny Worship Center. At Morehouse, he plans to major in biology pre-med to become an orthopedic surgeon.
Alyndria Stinson, Pine Bluff High School – Brother Dr. Kenneth Lambert and Donna Terrell Lambert Alpha Jewel Scholarship. Stinson has a GPA of 3.4 and wants to attend Arkansas State University. Stinson is involved in track and field, is a football manager and is in FBLA. While attending ASU, she plans to major in psychology to become a forensic psychologist.
Marquis Rice, Pine Bluff High School – Brother Dr. Manuel and Charlene Kelly Alpha Jewel Scholarship. With a 3.6 GPA, Rice aims to attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Rice is a part of the 4H Club and National Honor Society, and he is a youth usher. While attending UALR, he plans on majoring in biology to become an anesthesiologist.
Omarion Tucker, Pine Bluff High School – Brother Daryl and Joyce Grant Scott Alpha Jewel Scholarship. Tucker has a 3.8 GPA and wants to attend UCA. Tucker was involved in the gaming club, Boys State and worked with TOPPS. While attending UCA, he plans on majoring in computer information systems to pursue a career in technology.
Keyon Smith, Pine Bluff High School – Late Brother Ulysses S. Grant II Alpha Jewel Scholarship, sponsored by Brother Judge Jackie and Letrece Harris. With a GPA of 3.9, Smith wants to attend the U of A. He is a part of the football team, baseball team, chess club and Gentlemen’s Club. While at U of A, he plans to major in Electrical engineering and start his own electric company.
Travis Harden, Pine Bluff High School – Ester Shorter Alpha Jewel Scholarship, sponsored by Brother Judge Earnest and Tina Brown Jr. in honor of his mother-in-law. Harden has a GPA of 3.24 and wants to to attend UAPB. Harden is a part of the football team, Kappa League, the technology team at the church and also assists with the PBHS youth football camp. While at UAPB, he plans to major in criminal justice and one day become a Supreme Court judge.
Robert Barnes, White Hall High School – Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church Alpha Jewel Scholarship. Carrying a GPA of 3.9, Barnes plans to attend ASU. Barnes is a worker at the Boys and Girls Club, a part of a bowling team and is a junior deacon at Mulbury Grove Church. At ASU, he plans to major in animal science to become a veterinarian.
Jayden Shelton, Pine Bluff High School – Brother Thomas Vaughn Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship, sponsored by Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church. With a GPA of 3.8, Shelton aspires to attend UAPB. Shelton is involved in FBLA and football. After graduation, he plans to major in architect design and one day build affordable housing.
Ivan Armour, White Hall High School – Alpha Jewel Southeast Arkansas Jewel Foundation Scholarship. Armour has a GPA of 4.18 and plans to attend UALR. Armour is a member of the youth department at Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church, Ivy Center for Education, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, varsity football, varsity basketball and varsity baseball. While at UALR, he plans to major in construction management with dreams to be a general contractor.
Aleisha Shelton, White Hall High School – Alpha Jewel Southeast Arkansas Jewel Foundation Scholarship. Shelton has a 3.7 GPA and wants to attend UCA. Shelton is a WH varsity cheerleader, 2024-2025 Miss Debutante, member of the Beta Club, member of the Boys and Girls Club and a part of the WH cheer league. While attending UCA, she plans on majoring in political science to become a lawyer.
Kylah Demmings, White Hall High School – Brother Dr. Manuel and Charlene Kelly Alpha Jewel Scholarship. With a GPA of 4.08, Demmings plans to attend the U of A. Demmings is involved in track and field, Beta Club, Honor Society and PBFA media team. At U of A, she plans on majoring in biology to become a geneticist.
Gage Lowe, White Hall High School – Brother Daryl and Joyce Grant Scott Alpha Jewel Scholarship. Lowe has a GPA of 4.1 and plans to attend Clark Atlanta University. Lowe is involved in National Beta Club, National Honor Society, The National Society of High School Scholars, Ivy Center for Education, AAU basketball and is also a part of TOPPS. While attending Clark Atlanta, he plans to major in business finance/management to become a broker/owner in real estate.
James Ento, Pine Bluff High School – Brother Arzo and Dr. Wilda Knox Alpha Jewel Scholarship. Ento has a GPA of 3.89 and plans to attend Tuskegee University. Ento is involved with football, baseball, Ivy Center for Education and Gentlemen’s Club. At Tuskegee, he plans to major in computer science to become a software engineer or developer.
Jhourney Daniels, Watson Chapel High School – Late LaDorothy Wilson and late Gussie Thomas Alpha Jewel Scholarship, sponsored by Brother Rev. Dennis W. and Uyolanda Wilson. With a 3.4 GPA, Daniels plans to attend UCA. She is involved in Pathways Academy, CHAMPS, M*A*S*H, STEM program, Ivy Center Education, FCCLA, FBLA, Real Estate, JRMC/UAMS Day in the life and Congress of Future Medical Leadership of America. While attending UCA, she plans on majoring in nursing in hopes to one day be a pediatric nurse.
Derrieus Stewart Jr., Pine Bluff High School – Fall 2023 Initiates of Delta Sigma Lambda (8 Below) Brothers Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship. With a 4.0 GPA, Stewart plans to attend UAPB. Stewart is a part of the PBHS football team, and he also volunteers in the community. While attending UAPB, he plans to major in industrial technology/applied engineering to become an industrial engineer.
Colton Dill, Pine Bluff High School – Saracen Casino and Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship. With a GPA of 3.9, Dill is planning to attend UAPB. Dill is a part of the football team. While attending UAPB, he plans to major in business administration and become successful.
Taariq Conner, Watson Chapel High School – Saracen Casino and Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship. With a 3.7 GPA, Conner is planning to attend UAPB. Conner is a member of the baseball team, football team, JROTC and Kappa League. He plans to major in computer science to work with cyber security.
Danielle Bobo, Pine Bluff High School – Saracen Casino and Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship. With a GPA 3.8, Bobo is planning to attend UAPB. Bobo is captain of the PBHS pom squad, part of competitive dance 8 Powerhouse Dance & Tumbling, FBLA, FCCLA, PBHS chamber choir, TOPPS and president of Skills USA cosmetology. While attending UAPB, she plans to major in biology, pre-dentistry to become a dentist.
“These scholarships and recipients reflect the dedication and commitment of the community to supporting and uplifting deserving individuals in their pursuit of higher education,” according to the release.
Privacy Preferences
Copyright © 2025, Pine Bluff Commercial News
All rights reserved.
This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Pine Bluff Commercial News
Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2025, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. All rights reserved.
