JPPNA awards five scholars

Alliyah and Alexis Eberhart with proud grandmother Shirley Abrams

BY RAVEN JOY SHONEL, Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG – Annually, the Jordan Park Nostalgic Association, Inc. (JPPNA) awards scholarships to deserving high school seniors who aspire to attend college. Starting in 2012, their scholarship award average has been $500 per student up to $1,000.

JPPNA President Brenda Gilstrap said the association works hard every year to increase the amount of money that they give. Admitting that $500 will barely buy a semester’s worth of books, she knows that any amount will help alleviate some of the stress that comes with the increasing costs of higher education.

“Any money that you can get is a blessing,” she said.

In order to be considered for a scholarship, recipients must complete a comprehensive scholarship application that includes an autobiographical essay, reference letters, school transcript and a college acceptance letter from an accredited college/university.

This year, five talented scholars were selected from a pool of qualified applicants. These future college grads demonstrated, through their application packet, that they have the fortitude to attend college, complete their educational goals and make a difference in the community.

L’Kherria Thomas, Ajha Dortch, Quandale Inman, Alexis and Aliyah Eberhart all received $500 scholarships July 24 at a reception in their honor held at the Enoch Davis Center.

L’Kherria Thomas graduated from Gibbs High School with honors and is the daughter of Troy Thomas and Tameka Dukes and the niece of Celia Thomas. She was a varsity cheerleader, band majorette and a member of the St. Pete Diamond Prima Donnas dance troupe. She participated in the Delta Gems program and was a member of the Key, SADD and Greek clubs. Ms. Thomas will be attending Florida A&M University in a few weeks.

Ajha Dortch graduated from Dr. Earl Lennard High School in Ruskin with honors and a SAT score in the top percentile. She is the daughter of Erica Williams and Gerald Dortch and the granddaughter of Robert and Marva Perry. Ms. Dortch will be attending Louisiana State University.

Quandale Inmon graduated from Gibbs High School with honors and is the son of Tania Crawford and grandson of Betty Crawford. He was the varsity football team captain, on the County All-Star team, on the track team and was a member of 5000 Role Models. He received the Mac J. Williams Award for two years and excelled in the Business, Economics, Technology, Academy at Gibbs. Mr. Inmon will be attending Florida A&M in a few weeks.

Alexis Eberhart is a graduate of Gibbs High School and the daughter of Lisa Eberhart and the granddaughter of Shirley Abrams. She was a varsity cheerleader, excelled in the Business, Economics, Technology, Academy, assisted in the Adopt-A-Family program and the Juvenile Justice Tutoring program. This summer she was enrolled in the Summer Youth Employment program and will be attending Bethune-Cookman University in a few weeks.

Aliyah Eberhart is a graduate of Gibbs High School and the daughter of Lisa Eberhart and the granddaughter of Shirley Abrams. She was a varsity cheerleader, excelled in the Business, Economics, Technology, Academy, assisted in the Adopt-A-Family program and the Juvenile Justice Tutoring program. This summer she was enrolled in the Summer Youth Employment program and will be attending St. Petersburg College in a few weeks.

“We hope parents, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles that you continue to encourage them because we really need to see our kids do better than what they are doing right now. It takes a little pushing and a little support,” said Gilstrap.

The Scholarship Committee of JPPNA is spearheaded by Betty Crawford.  JPPNA is a non-profit association that scholarship funds are derived from the Annual Christmas Holiday Scholarship Gala.