A group of local high school seniors were awarded college scholarships during the 28th annual breakfast celebrating the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday morning.
Organized by the local African American Pastors Alliance, a portion of the event celebrated six students awarded scholarships based on academic performance, community involvement, extracurricular activities and financial need, according to organizers.
Six $1,000 MLK Scholarships were given out to the soon-to-be college-bound graduates. Ivy Tech Community College and IU Columbus also provided $1,000 matching scholarships for each recipient to attend their respective institutions.
On top of that, the African American Foundation provided an additional $1,500 scholarship to go towards sophomore year tuition, meaning recipients could receive up to $4,500 with the award.
The names of the six young people were announced and organizers described a bit about them and where their journey might lead.
The first recipient was North student and “future Italian-speaking interior designer” Macee Thomas, who has a love of literature and writing and participated in the college prep program at the Center for Leadership Development this past fall, the African American Foundation’s Lori Thompson said.
Thomas visited IU Bloomington this summer and returned excited to eventually study abroad to learn about different cultures and languages, according to Thompson.
Described as passionate, resilient and determined, Gage Shrader’s life has been a testament to perseverance and service to others, Thompson told the crowd.
Shrader, who attends East and plans to pursue becoming a registered nurse, is involved in Key Club, Bring Change to Mind and Umoja “where he demonstrates empathy, leadership and commitment to making a positive impact— traits that align closely with the ideas of Dr. Martin Luther King,” Thompson said.
Columbus East’s Lucynda Destin exemplifies King through her academic excellence, leadership and dedication to the community, per organizers.
Destin has received recognition from the National African American Outstanding Academic Achievement Program, is a National Honor Society scholar and involved in the Multicultural Club, Key Club and Bring Change to Mind.
An Umoja ambassador and active participant in the Center For Leadership Development, Destin is going to be a first-generation college student pursuing a career as a justice in education professional.
Andergley Exilien is fluent in three languages, interested in the medical field and currently finishing up his capstone with a C4 nursing program this spring. Exilien is an editor for Columbus North’s nationally recognized yearbook and previously team captain of the soccer team.
Exilien leads with a compassionate, collaborative and charismatic leadership style and works well with others to reach their goals, organizers said.
Karma Jackson has balanced academic excellence and extracurricular obligations throughout her time at Columbus North.
She is in the C4 nursing pathway, an active member of the Multicultural Club since her freshman year and part of the track and field team at North. Organizers said Jackson shows a consistent commitment to excellence in all of her activies.
Columbus East High School’s Rahianna Logan was the final recipient to be announced and is known as an extraordinary student and leader who embodies the values of hard work, compassion and service to her community, according to organizers.
Logan was named team most valuable player for East volleyball while also earning academic all-state honors. She serves on the Student Advisory Committee and is a member of the National Honor Society.
This year’s recipients were:
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