Gibbs Class of 1968, Inc. awards $5,000 in scholarships

BY VALERIE B. WILLIAM

ST. PETERSBURG — Each year the Gibbs Class of 1968, Inc. host a Scholarship Awards Program to provide scholarships for admirable high school students who desire to attend college. The program was held at the Enoch Davis Center Tues., May 13.

Congratulations are in order for the 10 high school seniors who all maintained a 2.5 or higher grade point average and have received their college acceptance letters. The recipients have performed admirably in the classroom and in their community. Their aspirations include becoming doctors, lawyers, writers, educators and performing artists.

Students were selected from local and central Florida high schools:

• Gibbs High School — Antwan Fuller, Jalen Williams, Jerosan Fletcher
• Boca Ciega High School — Kendra Delaney
• Canterbury School of Florida — Hydeia Thomas
• Lakewood High School — LaVanja Peterson
• Osceola Fundamental High School — Syndee Peterman
• St. Petersburg High School — Brinesha Myrick
• William R. Boone High School in Orlando — Ajah Deloach
• Bayside High School in Palm Bay — Judienne Archer

Graduates received acceptance letters from universities all over the United States such as Florida A&M, Alabama State University, Clark Atlanta University, Florida State University, Howard University, Florida Memorial University, University of North Florida, University of Utah and St. Petersburg College.

Over 80 people were in attendance to celebrate with the honorees. Each scholarship recipient received an award in the amount of $500, and was encouraged to do their best in college and to become contributing members of society.

Program participants included Kaleb Ash, a 2013 scholarship recipient, who provided the music for the evening. Kendra Delaney sang two songs and shared her inspiring story of being able to graduate on time after missing an entire semester of high school after the loss of her mother.

Class Chaplain Alvin Frazier, whose granddaughter Ajah Deloach received a scholarship and will be attending his college alma mater, gave spiritual advice to the graduates. Each graduate was given a copy of the poem “Myself” by Edgar Albert Guest and listened to a recitation by Barbara J. Stockton. The poem challenged the graduates to live a productive life that would make them proud of themselves.

An audiovisual presentation by Valerie B. Williams entitled “Bridging the Gap” highlighted reflections of The Class of 1968 from 1968 to 2014. The presentation emphasized the importance of class unity and community service throughout their lives. The mistress of ceremony was class president Sylvia Wells-Moore who also provided the graduates with encouraging remarks.

Scholarship awards are funded by The Class Holiday Extravaganza and applications are accepted each spring for consideration. Over the past 36 years scholarship awards have been presented to high school graduates attending local schools.

Scholarship awards are based on the senior’s grades, personal references and The Class of 1968 Board of Directors’ recommendation.

The Class is a non-profit organization whose motto is “To Whom Much is Given, Much is Required.”