JPPNA, Inc. 2015 scholarship program

BY VALERIE B. WILLIAMS

ST. PETERSBURG — The Jordan Park Projects Nostalgic Association, Incorporated, a non-profit organization, for the fourth year in a row presented scholarships to deserving high school graduates.

The association, having been in existence for only five years, has presented over $13,000 in scholarships to graduating high school students who are determined to seek college degrees.  The Annual Awards Scholarship Program was held Mon., June 22 at the Enoch Davis Center.  Two high school graduates, Roy Williams and Kayla Crawford, were recipients of this year’s scholarships in the amount of $1,500 each.

Roy Williams is a 2015 graduate of Gibbs High School. He is graduating with a 3.6 GPA and is a “500 Role Model.”  He is a member of the National Honor Society and has earned 12 college credits while at Gibbs High all while working a part-time job.

Roy participated in football and wrestling and earned an honorable mention at the Wrestling State (Florida) Championship.  He has been accepted at Fairmont State University, West Virginia, Business & Technology Academy.  Not only did his many accomplishments impress the audience, it was his heart wrenching biography that  earned him thunderous applause as he told of his determination to positively turn his life around after having made a life altering mistake.

Kayla Crawford is a 2015 graduate of Lakewood High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society with a GPA of 3.6.  Kayla is captain of the Varsity Cheer Squad and Vice President of the National Council of Negro Women, New Girls Network.  She is also a volunteer at All Children’s Hospital and a Senior Honor Student.

In addition to her many community associations, Kayla is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Academy Exquisite Gems, where she received the 2014 Blossom Award.  She has been accepted at Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers where she will major in pre-nursing.

Betty Crawford, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, and her team awards scholarships to graduating seniors that have family ties to Jordan Park or currently reside in Jordan Park, have excellent academic performance, demonstrate outstanding community service and submit an essay.

Recipients also must have been accepted at an accredited college or university.  The scholarships are funded by the Annual Scholarship Holiday Dance held in December.  In an effort to increase the number of scholarship recipients and the amount of the scholarship, The Jordan Park Projects Nostalgic Association is in the planning phase of a community fellowship golf tournament to be held late this year or early 2016.

At the culmination of the program, remarks were given by President Brenda Gilstrap and Rufus Lewis, first vice president.  To the association’s amazement, Rev. Alvin Miller, Iron Chef, prepared and donated a colorful array of fruit and vegetable trays along with his signature cake and banana-nut bread. The audience was grateful for his labor of love.

The Association salutes Roy and Kayla, the 2015 scholarship recipients!