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The Southern Maryland Chronicle
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Prince Frederick, Maryland- LEAP Forward Inc. celebrated its 24th annual scholarship reception, awarding 57 scholarships totaling $94,000 to high school graduates and college students from Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s counties, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. Held at Calvert High School’s cafeteria, the “chat and chew” event honored students for academic excellence, leadership, and community service, with each scholarship valued at a minimum of $1,500. Since 1998, LEAP Forward has distributed over 507 scholarships worth more than $524,000, empowering youth to pursue higher education.
A Tradition of Scholarship and Connection
Themed “Getting to Know You,” the event encouraged meaningful conversations between scholarship recipients and 37 donor families and organizations. Named for Wallace Lorenzo Leeper, a Calvert High School counselor and STEM advocate enshrined in the school’s Hall of Fame, LEAP Forward facilitated networking, allowing students to share their academic plans and learn about the individuals memorialized by their scholarships. “The scholarship program bridges generations, fostering guidance and shared experiences,” said a LEAP Forward spokesperson.
Four new scholarships were introduced. The Carroll and Evangeline Wills Memorial Scholarships ($1,500 each), presented by Barbara Wills Smith, went to Saniyah Willett (Calvert High School, Forensic Chemistry, Towson University) and Na’Tailya Young (Great Mills High School, Nursing, Southern University A&M). The $1,500 Dorothy Randolph Menchan Memorial Scholarship, awarded by Dillard Menchan, supported Jaron Scott (Secondary Math Education, Hampton University). Debora Harris and Art Simpson presented the $1,500 Calvert County NAACP Branch-7011 Scholarship to Xavier Gray (Calvert High School, Political Science, Salisbury University). Doretha Holt Smith awarded the $1,500 Geraldine Delores Whittington Memorial Scholarship to Sanaa Gray (Business Management, Bowie State University), honoring the first African American presidential secretary under President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Diverse Scholarship Recipients and Donors
Thirty-three returning scholarships recognized students across various fields. The $2,000 Wallace Leeper Memorial Scholarships supported Todd Waller (Thomas Stone High School, Mechanical Engineering, College of Southern Maryland), Duke Boateng (Charles Flowers High School, Information Science, University of Maryland, College Park), Malik Johnson (Great Mills High School, Multimedia Journalism, Salisbury University), and Cameron Washington (Great Mills High School, Accounting, Morgan State University). The $3,000 Wilson Ennis Sr. Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Kennedi Hunt (Civil Engineering, North Carolina A&T University).
The $1,500 Clifton Morsell-Randolph Adams Memorial Scholarships went to Sean Manley (Chemical Engineering, Howard University), Muhammad Bilal (Charles Flowers High School, Computer Science, University of Maryland, College Park), and Evan Brown (Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, Neuroscience, High Point University). The $2,000 Grace Parker Memorial Scholarships supported Brianna Reynolds (Dance, Alabama State University), Matsliah Dunn (Thomas Stone High School, Cyber Security, Fayetteville University), and Naveah Tygret (Patuxent High School, Law, University of Maryland Eastern Shore).
Brionnah Chittams (Patuxent High School, Biology, Penn State University) received the $1,500 Earl Thorne Memorial Scholarship. The $1,500 Lawrence Myers Memorial Scholarship supported Kortney Lawrence (Nursing, University of Maryland-School of Nursing) and Jessica Hall (Northern High School, Information Systems, Morgan State University). The $1,500 Gloria Mae Gross Memorial Scholarship aided Kennedi Jones (Computer Science, Hood College), Seth Leslie (Computer Science, University of Maryland-Baltimore County), and Tristan Stowe (Nursing, West Virginia University).
The $1,500 Raymond Harris Memorial Scholarships went to Gavin Goldring (Electrical Engineering, Catholic University of America) and Jahdane Thaxter (Great Mills High School, Electrical Engineering, Louisiana State University). The $1,500 Hamilton and Alice Parran Memorial Scholarships supported Morgan Parran (Pre-Nursing, Towson University), Laila Umrani-Sanders (Huntington High School, Nursing, Stevenson University), and Bryce Selby (St. Charles High School, Kinesiology, North Carolina Central University).
The $2,000 George H. and Geneva Green Harrod Memorial Scholarships aided Destiny Lewis (Chemistry, Bowie State University), Tory Ridgeway (Aerospace Engineering, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University), and Derek Brown (Psychology, St. Mary’s College of Maryland). Aneesa Azar (Business Administration, Bowie State University) received the $1,500 Bill and Blanche Finch Memorial Scholarship. The $2,000 Violet Parker Memorial Scholarships supported Savannah Foster (Journalism, Morgan State University) and Karmen Pompey (Business Management and Administration, Towson University).
Additional scholarship recipients included Keyona Tharpe (Business Administration, North Carolina Central University, $1,500 Gladys Henson Memorial Scholarship), Rebekah Bobo (Music, Morgan State University, $1,500 Ruth Reid Memorial Scholarship), Briana Ridley (Sports Medicine, North Carolina Central University, $1,500 Thomas Family Scholarship), Taylor Pratt (Calvert High School, Psychology, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, $2,000 MacArthur Jones Memorial Scholarship), Kennady Hawkins (Thomas Stone High School, Early Education, Hood College, $1,500 Iris Anne Harris Memorial Scholarship), Jocelyn Berry (Electronic Media & Film, Towson University, $1,500 Evelyn Irvine Memorial Scholarship), Taliyah Washington (Business Administration, Morgan State University, $1,500 Michael J. Moore Memorial Scholarship), Lauren McNair (Biology, Howard University, $1,500 Gail E. Patterson Scholarship), Amari Edmonds (Cyber Security Engineering, Bowie State University, $1,500 Elizabeth Simms Memorial Scholarship), Rania Amin (Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women, Communications & Media Studies, Pace University, $1,500 Vivian Lemort Rogers Memorial Scholarship), Messiah Smith (Suitland High School, Music Performance, George Mason University, $1,500 Dorothy Mae Smith Memorial Scholarship), Reece Hart (Henry E. Lackey High School, Biology, Johnson C. Smith University, $1,500 Marilyn Preston Killingham Memorial Scholarship), Sydney Prince (Northern High School, Criminology, Davis & Elkins College, $1,500 Victoria Lodge #71 Scholarship), Boyan-Jise Tiwang (Charles Flowers High School, Data Science, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, $1,500 MasterMind Group Scholarship), Madison Harris (Business Administration, Bowie State University, $1,500 Carrie Bertha Kent and Clyde Jones Memorial Scholarship), Randolph Hart IV (Criminal Justice, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, $1,500 Joan Gray Butler Memorial Scholarship), and Zion Brown (Marketing, North Carolina A&T State University, $1,500 Glenda Bell Boyd Memorial Scholarship).
Community Support and Future Plans
Students expressed gratitude through thank-you cards, strengthening ties with sponsors like Walmart, Shore United Bank, Space Metrics, Sam’s Club, and State Farm Agent Michael Paxson. Donations from Giant Food, Safeway, and Weis Markets supported the event. The scholarship committee, board members, and volunteers were pivotal in its success.
LEAP Forward, marking its 24th year, plans a 25th anniversary celebration in July 2026. More information is available at https://www.leapforwardinc.org, with scholar and sponsor highlights on LEAP Forward’s YouTube channel. The scholarship program continues to honor legacies, fostering educational opportunities and community connections across Maryland.
Show your love for Southern Maryland by powering authoritative, in-depth reporting about your community, and keeping access free for neighbors who need it.
Your contribution is appreciated.
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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