During its sixth annual Grand Gala, the Friends of Normandy School District Foundation awarded $17,500 in scholarships to Normandy High School seniors and an additional $6,000 to graduates of the high school.
Shatera Davis is the foundation’s top scholar who received the Scholar of Excellence Scholarship in the amount of $3,000. Jasmine Porter received $2,000 as the foundation’s second place scholar, and Brandon Jackson received $1,000 as the third place scholar.
Vondale Harris, Dionna McKinney, Brianca Johnson, Kaionni Cuffie and Tyrice Jenkins were named Normandy School District Scholars. Harris, McKinney, Johnson and Cuffie received $1,500 scholarships. Jenkins, who also received the $1,000 Truman Bank Scholar of Excellence scholarship received a $500 Normandy School District Scholar scholarship.
Starting in the fourth grade, Normandy School District students can earn points, toward becoming a Normandy School District Scholar. Points are awarded annually based on academics, attendance, test scores and other criteria. The points accrue throughout the student’s career in the district, and scholarships are provided through an endowment for each graduating class.
Normandy High School graduates Jolene Hibbler and Vincent Tillman were also recognized during the gala. Hibbler, a 2007 graduate, received the Board Vice President Edward James Scholarship in the amount of $3,000. She is currently a student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Tillman, a 2009 graduate and currently a student at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, received the Board President Cozy W. Marks, III Scholarship also in the amount of $3,000. The Board President and Vice President Scholarships are one time awards renewable for three additional years.
The Friends of Normandy School District Foundation was established in 2005 to promote and reward academic excellence. Tax deductible donations to the foundation can be made by contacting Beverley Thompson at 314-493-0442.
New Life awards scholarships
New Life in Christ Interdenominational Church will award scholarships totaling $20,000 to seven area high school students during its annual Education Sunday worship services at 11 a.m. on June 12. There are over 90 graduates being honored at the Education Sunday Celebration for their accomplishments and success.
“Education changes minds and lives for the better,” said Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley, New Life in Christ senior pastor. “These seven young people have shown the world that they are ready to make a difference, and that they are more than deserving of the investment we’re making in their futures.”
New Life in Christ began awarding scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are members of the church eight years ago. Recipients were chosen based on their high academic achievement and their ability to demonstrate a love for serving others as well as their communities. To date, more than $106,000 in scholarships has been presented. The church’s annual Education Sunday services recognizes the scholarship recipients as well as other members who are graduating from high school and college, and transitioning from elementary and middle school levels.
The 2011 New Life in Christ scholarship recipients are:
. Lauren A. Little, Belleville Township High School East – Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley, Sr. Pastoral Scholarship of Excellence, $4,000, attending Bethel College
. Emily M. Storment, Belleville Township High School East – IdaDorothy Dudley Memorial Scholarship, $2,5000, attending Benedictine College
. Ebony M. Marks, Belleville Township High School West – New Life in Christ Interdenominational Church Life Changer Scholarship, $2,000, attending Tuskegee University
. Danielle Moody, O’Fallon Township High School – New Life in Christ Interdenominational Life Changer Scholarship, $2,000, attending Spelman College
. Christian A. Murray, Belleville Township High School West – New Life in Christ Interdenominational Church Life Changer Scholarship, $2,000, attending Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville
. Nygel A. Williams, Mascoutah High School – Minister Sheila Renee Swgert Memorial Scholarship. $2,500, attending St. Louis University
. Shontrice N. Garrett, East St. Louis Sr. High School – John H. McCants Hope Scholarship, $5,000, attending Jackson State University.
New Life in Christ Interdenominational Church is located at 689 Scott Troy Road in O’Fallon, Ill. It was founded in 2003. With more than 2,500 regularly attending members, New Life is considered one of the fastest growing churches in the Metro-East.
