Scholarships

2021 Recipients

2022 Recipients

Madison Varnadore from Lineville, AL was selected from nine applicants to receive the Auburn University Formal Education Scholarship for 2019. This very versatile student is majoring in Mathematics Education and minoring in Sports Coaching. In addition to being an honor student, Madison works for the AU Recreational Department and is a self-employed Cheerleading Camp Instructor and Choreographer. Although at Auburn, Madison was encouraged to go into applied mathematics or engineering, she knew she wanted to teach. The opportunity to substitute in an Algebra I class for a week and to tutor math students not only affirmed her decision to become a teacher but also helped her to develop her educational philosophy. Madison believes that every student is unique and that to quote George Evans, "Every student can learn, just not on the same day or in the same way."

Hannah Phillips was selected from six applicants to receive the University of Alabama Formal Education Scholarship. Hannah is from Prospect, Kentucky but has strong Alabama ties as her mother is originally from Alabama and is a graduate of the University of Alabama. In addition to having a 4.0 GPA this honor student is very involved in extracurricular school activities and her church. As a high school student Hannah participated in a mission trip with her church to Port-au-Prince, Haiti where she worked with youngsters at several orphanages. According to Hannah, this experience increased her passion for working with young children and was a major stepping stone in her educational decision to major in early childhood education. Hannah takes advantage of every opportunity to hone her teaching skills.

The 2019 Sara T. Bryan Scholarship was awarded to Brenda Nicholls of Chi Chapter who has taught for more than fourteen years in disadvantaged schools and is currently employed as an itinerant literacy coach for the Baldwin County School System. Brenda's goal is to become an administrator in a school for underprivileged children. She believes that as an administrator she can have a much greater impact on the academic instructional practices and in providing students with an environment that fosters increased learning. She especially wants to help impoverished students become problem solvers and productive members and leaders in society. The funds from the Sara T. Bryan will help Brenda reach her goal.

2019 Alabama Formal Education Scholarship for Students in the International House program at Jacksonville State University was awarded to Balqees K. Hijazeen of Jordan. Balqees moved to Gadsden in 2014 and as she recounts started her educational journey with a year in the ESL program at Gadsden State Community College to improve her English. Additionally, she joined the International Club that is called “Students without Borders” and through that organization and Phi Theta Kappa she became a very active volunteer. Participation in these activities aided Balqees in identifying her vocational interests and strengths while she completed her Associate Degree at GSCC.

Following her transfer to Jacksonville State University where she is pursuing a degree in Business Management with a concentration in E-Commerce, Balqees was accepted into the prestigious International House program in the spring of 2018. This program at JSU has enabled Balqees to learn about cultures from all over the world and to give back to the community through its many volunteer activities. Balqees’ goal is to own her own business someday.