The Dunbar School Alumni Association recently awarded scholarships to seven students currently enrolled in institutions of higher education.
The 2008 recipients are Adrianne S. Charleston, Latisha L. Gaither, Daniel K. Griffith, Joy L. Kennedy, Ashlyne Reid, Christopher L. Sifford and Fatima M. Smith. Each recipient received $570.
Selection criteria included the financial need of the applicant, academic achievement and involvement, community service and the applicant’s relationship to a former student, teacher or administrator of Dunbar School.
Adrianne S. Charleston is a freshman at East Carolina University majoring in recreational therapy administration with the goal of becoming a nurse. She has been active on campus with the marching band, Black Student Union, cultural committee and as an on-campus referee. Her GPA is 2.0.
The niece of Kathleen Corpening, Charleston is described as being determined, dedicated, compassionate and well-disciplined. Her lifestyle has been balanced with education, work, extracurricular activities and church.
Latisha L. Gaither is a senior at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She is majoring in biology with a minor in business and psychology and has a GPA of 3.34.
The granddaughter of Clara Addison Gaither, she believes hard work pays off, and she enjoys being involved in her university and community. On campus, she is a Presidential Ambassador, resident advisor, a tutor in math and English and an honor student who has served on the Honor Student Association executive board.
Daniel K. Griffith is a freshman at Catawba College with a GPA of 2.33. He is seeking a degree in therapeutic recreation with plans to become a physical therapist.
Upon graduating from North Rowan High School, Griffith was awarded a football scholarship to attend college. He says playing football motivates him to be a good role model to little kids.
Grandson of Lorene Anderson Massey, Griffith believes that anything is possible if an individual works hard in school as well as the other areas of life that contain the desires of his heart.
Joy L. Kennedy is a speech and language pathologist in the Cabarrus County Schools. She is enrolled in a doctoral degree program in education with a concentration in curriculum-cultural studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has a cumulative GPA of 3.96.
The daughter of Jean and Royal Kennedy, she wants to become an advocate for social justice within the public schools and her church. Her professional goal is to continue to educate administrators, teachers, parents and parishioners on cultural language differences among multicultural disorders.
Kennedy is active in the AME Zion church on the local, district, conference and connectional levels. She is licensed by the N.C. Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists, is affiliated with professional groups and is a member of Delta Xi Omega Graduate Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Three of the seven students received scholarships for the second consecutive year.
Ashlyne Reid is pursuing a BS degree in business and economics at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. A junior, her accomplishments include the Chancellor’s List for the spring of 2007; the Dean’s List for the fall of 2006 and and the spring of 2007; treasurer of the Black Student Association from August 2007 to present; a peer mentor; and a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.
Reid is the granddaughter of two alumni, Mamie Byers Hairston and Maggie Scotton Reid.
Christopher L. Sifford graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a BS in political science in the spring of 2008. He is pursuing a master’s degree in nonprofit management at High Point University and hopes to become a leader in the nonprofit sector and offer legal aid to help others in his community, especially the homeless, to have job opportunities and become self-sufficient.
Sifford is the grandson of Lorene Anderson Massey.
Fatima M. Smith is a junior at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., where she is seeking a BS in administration of justice. Smith plans to attend law school and specialize in family law. She says the family plays a significant role in her life and that it is a pleasure to participate in community service programs and help others in need.
Smith is the granddaughter of Ada Anderson Smith and has served as president and historian of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., treasurer of Circle K International and sponsorship chair of George Mason University’s Relay for Life.