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The Southern Maryland Chronicle
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BEL ALTON, Md. — The Bel Alton High School Alumni Association (BAHSAA) announced its 2025 scholarship recipients on May 21, 2025, recognizing 10 students for their academic achievements and potential. The awards, totaling $7,500, support high school seniors and college students from Charles County and beyond.
The 2025 recipients are Skye Morris ($1,500, Westlake High School), Reece J. Hart ($1,000, Henry E. Lackey High School), Amiya A. Jones ($500, North Point High School), Chauncey Tillman ($500, La Plata High School), Andrew J. Scott ($500, Maurice J. McDonough High School), Ricardo A. Daniels ($500, North Point High School), Bryce Selby ($500, St. Charles High School), Stephen L. Neal ($1,500, NC A&T State University, sophomore), Diamond L. Koon ($1,000, Coppin State University, sophomore), and Nicholas O. Ford ($500, Morgan State University, junior).
The scholarship program, established in 2022, honors BAHSAA’s founding members who preserved the historic Bel Alton High School building in the late 1980s. The school, built in 1938 for African American students in Charles County, closed in 1966 following integration. The founders prevented its demolition, restored it by 2008, and operated a community center there until 2015. The building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“I commend our founders for saving the Bel Alton High School building, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places,” said Matt Wills, BAHSAA Chair.
Joyce M. Brown, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, expressed enthusiasm for the recipients. “We were very impressed with these young students and hope that our scholarships will help them to defray the cost of pursuing their educational goals. We wish them the best and hope that they and their families will help us to share the cultural history of Bel Alton High School,” Brown said.
Since its inception, BAHSAA has awarded nearly $20,000 in scholarships to support students’ educational pursuits. The 2025 scholarship committee, led by Brown and including Andre P. Smith, Lisa Ambers, Joseph Johnson, and Agnes Lilly, reviewed applications and selected recipients based on academic merit and community involvement.
Wills praised the committee’s dedication and thanked contributors to the scholarship fund, specifically acknowledging Charles County Sheriff Troy D. Berry and Commissioners Ralph Paterson and Thomasina Coates. Certain awards carry special significance: Reece J. Hart’s scholarship was sponsored by the family of founding member Austin Leroy Johnson (deceased), Amiya A. Jones’ by the family of T. Jerome Short, and Nicholas O. Ford’s in honor of Muriel S. Sweatt (deceased), a former Bel Alton High School faculty member.
The scholarship program reflects BAHSAA’s commitment to preserving the legacy of Bel Alton High School while investing in the future of Charles County’s youth. The association encourages recipients to engage with the school’s cultural history, fostering a connection to the community’s past. The awards help alleviate financial burdens, enabling students to focus on their studies at institutions like NC A&T State University, Coppin State University, and Morgan State University, as well as supporting graduating seniors from five Charles County high schools.
BAHSAA continues to seek donations to sustain and expand the scholarship program, ensuring more students can benefit in future years. The 2025 awards highlight the association’s ongoing mission to honor its founders’ vision and support educational opportunities for deserving students.
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David M. Higgins II is an award-winning journalist passionate about uncovering the truth and telling compelling stories. Born in Baltimore and raised in Southern Maryland, he has lived in several East… More by David M. Higgins II, Publisher/Editor
The Southern Maryland Chronicle(SoMDC) is an all-digital news source for SoMD. We cover all of Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties; along with the Southern portions of Anne Arundel and Prince George’s County. SoMDC covers every aspect of the SoMD Region and will continue to grow with the community. SoMDC appreciates all feedback from the community, along with tips, pictures, articles contributed, and support.
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