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Seniors Get Scholarships
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Four Opelousas-area senior students were presented with financial scholarships by the I-49 Association during an annual presentation ceremony held Saturday at the Delta Grand Theater.
Opelousas alderman-at-large Marvin Richard, president of the I-49 non-profit organization, said that recipients Landon Hammond, Dae’ja Babin, Ronkasha Baker and Shardae Horton each received scholarships worth $1,000.
Richard said the scholarship criteria included each student’s academic achievement and community service. Administrators and counselors from each school assisted with providing nominations, said Richard.
Hammond (Opelousas High), Babin (J.S. Clark Leadership Academy), Baker (Northwest High) and Horton (North Central High) provided brief biographies outlining their high school achievements as well as their post-collegiate plans.
The four students also received state legislative proclamations noting their achievements.
Richard, who organized a 14th consecutive scholarship award program, received a key to the city of Opelousas and a proclamation from St. Landry Parish president Jessie Bellard, saluting the awards and the efforts made by Richard in organizing the event.
Hammond, who has already received a football scholarship from Tulane University, said he plans to major in computer engineering. Much of his success Hammond said, originated from the Hope For Opelousas mentoring program.
Babin, a dual-enrollment student at J.S. Clark wants to become a medical doctor specializing in psychiatry. Babin currently has a 4.4 high school grade-point average.
During her presentation Baker said she wants to specialize in social work while attending college. Baker said throughout her life, she has been involved in community service projects, which she defined as helping others without looking for rewards.
Horton, a resident of Melville, indicated that she intends to pursue a career in the medical field, starting with enrollment at Southwest Louisiana before eventually transferring to Southern University.
The medical field, Horton told those attending the event, provides a strong contribution to society.
Richard, Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor, Opelousas High head coach Jimmy Zachery, Jr., State Senator Gerald Boudreaux, State Representative Dustin Miller, Opelousas Police Chief Graig LeBlanc, Third Circuit State Appellate Judge Ludrieka Thierry, State Democratic committee member Joey Richard, School Board member Anthony Standberry and Board of Aldermen representatives Sherell Roberts and Chasity Davis Warren all provided remarks during the presentation.
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