2020 MANaSOTA ASALH SCHOLARSHIP AWARDs
On Friday, May 22, 2020, Manasota ASALH awarded scholarships to 22 graduating high school seniors of Manatee and Sarasota schools during a first time ever Zoom (virtual) Meeting. Unfortunately, our country along with most of the world, had been exposed to the Coronavirus (Covid-19). Along with the high school seniors, there were 3 college students present who were awarded scholarships.
The speaker for the scholarship award program was community activist, Mrs. Shirley Miller. Mrs. Miller graduated with a B.A. Degree in Anthropology from Queens College, NYC and completed further studies at Cornell University and Nova University.
The scholarship awards are based on very rigorous criteria, including academic achievement, community service, in school activities and extracurricular activities and a personal interview. Individual awards ranged from $1,000 to $3,000 and total $60,000 for the 2019/2020 academic year. Funds for the scholarships are raised primarily from the annual Randy Rankin Scholarship Golf Classic. However, this year, this event had to be canceled due to Covid-19.
Dr. James Stewart, President of the Manasota Branch, along with the Scholarship Committee Chairwoman, Mrs. Bernadine Rice, attended a workshop sponsored by the Community Foundation of Sarasota to become a member of this foundation’s Giving Partner. Manasota Branch received donations from members of the Manasota Branch of ASALH with matching funds from the Giving Partner program. Contributions were gratefully received from other supporters as well.
Generous multi-year contributions were also received from the estate of Patricia Lynch-Pepin, and her brother Danny Lynch, in memory of his sister, a dedicated and tireless volunteer with the Friends of the North Sarasota Public Library. Also, in 2017 new ASALH members Morrie and Quincy Tharps and family made a generous pledge of $10,000 to the ASALH Scholarship Fund in honor of his late brother, Vernon Tharps. Since the 2000 school year, Manasota ASALH has awarded close to $470,000 in college scholarships to 261 Sarasota and Manatee Counties students .
The 2019/2020 Manasota ASALH High School Scholars
The 2019/2020 Manasota ASALH High School Scholars along with their high schools are pictured above.
Recurring Scholarship Program: Patricia Lynch-Pepin Scholars
Background
Four years ago, the Recurring Scholarship Program was begun. Through the generosity of the Pepin Scholarship, one student was awarded a $12,000 scholarship. This scholarship was to be given $3,000 per year for four years. Ms. Edonya Timmons (pictured on the left) was awarded this scholarship after graduating from Bayshore High School. She received her first college degree from Valdosta State University (Georgia) in May 2020. Ms. Timmons further plans are to continue her higher education terminating with a medical degree.
Cheryl Watkins Snead Legacy Scholarship
Mrs. Cheryl Watkins Snead was the beloved daughter of Past President of the Manasota Branch Mr. William Watkins, Jr. and his wife Mrs. Katherine Watkins, and the wife of Mr. Roland Snead, a Lifetime member of ASALH. Funds were donated, primarily from Amica Insurance Company of which Mrs. Snead was formerly a member of the Board of Directors. This scholarship program awards a rising Sophomore, Junior or Senior student $5,000 per year until graduation with the student maintaining a 3.0 GPA. One goal of the scholarship program is to award scholarships to students who are pursuing programs in engineering and business. These are fields that Mrs. Snead had studied and devoted her work skills and time.
Ms. Isis Madden was awarded the first Cheryl Watkins Snead Legacy Scholarship. Ms. Madden, a rising Fall 2019 sophomore student at the University of Central Florida, is a graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School. MS. Madden attended the 2019 Scholarship Awards Ceremony addressing the high school students. She told them that she has plans of becoming a highly respected neuropsychologist acquiring a Ph.D. within the field of Neuropsychology.
Ms. Taylor Pitts received the Snead Legacy Scholarship in May 2020. Ms. Pitts is a rising Senior at University of Central Florida. She is a graduate of Suncoast Polytechnical High School. Her plans are to become an electrical engineer.
Jalynne Brown is a sophomore at Howard University in Washington, DC. She is a graduate of Manatee High School. Jalynne plans to have a successful career in the medical field.
SPECIAL THANK YOU
The Manasota ASALH Scholarship Committee is indeed grateful to all former and present members who have supported this scholarship program for twenty years. A special bouquet of appreciation is extended in memory of long time Chairwoman of the Scholarship Committee, Mrs. Arlene Green, who died earlier in the year 2020.
The members of the Scholarship Committee are Harriet Cowan, Chairwoman, Barbara Gibbs, Bernice Giscombe, Bettye Easley, Carole Catineau, Joe Bornstein, Paula Viltz, Quincy Tharps, Ron Kline, and Ron Mason.