Promoting higher education at HBCUs by honoring our chartering principles

Tau Kappa Omega since its chartering has awarded academic scholarships to young women in our service area. This year was no exception. Honoring our chartering principles, we strive to promote excellence in young ladies who are the future leaders of our community. We realize Higher education is key to developing these young ladies as leaders. Because of our commitment, we invest in the education of local young ladies by way of academic scholarships. The minimum criteria all applicants must meet are listed below:

**Must live and/or attend school in Iberville, Ascension, Assumption, or St. James parishes

**Must be a female graduating senior

**Must be attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in Fall 2018

**Must have a Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better (official transcript)

**Must submit a copy of ACT scores

**Must complete the 2018 Scholarship Application

Members of the Scholarship Committee elected to award two $500 scholarships. The recipients were both Ascension parish residents and students at Donaldsonville High School. Before a crowd of over 350 persons chapter Scholarship Chairman, Francesca M. Williams and Program Chairman and Vice

President, Quanda Charles presented this year’s awards to Ms. Nia Comery who plans to attend Xavier University and Donna Pitts who plans to attend Southern University. Nia graduated with a grade point average of 4.4707 and an ACT score of 25. Donna graduated with a grade point average of 4.1864 and an ACT of 21. The awards were presented on May 8 at the school’s Senior Night Ceremony.

Additionally, chapter members who attended the event in representation of our organization and to laud the recipients were Olivia Bessix, Stacie Jordan, Joy Spears and Charmaine Williams. The committee chaired by Francesca Williams has two Co-Chairmen, Stacie Jordan and Shalonda Skidmore. Committee members are Lakedra Crockett, Rayla Hunt, Katrice Lipscomb, Jessica Mellieon, Tia Mills, Joy Spears, Jeanetta Walker, Dana Washington and Allyson Williams. Carmen Harrison is the chapter president.

Contributed by Dr. Tia T. Mills, Reporter, Tau Kappa Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.