Three N.O. freshmen earn $1,000 scholarships

Three area college freshmen recently became recipients of Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Omicron Chapter largesse, as they were awarded $1,000 college scholarships for the 2011-2012 school year.

The lucky trio are Maya Harris, a recent graduate of G.W. Carver High School, Jennifer Jackson, a recent graduate of St. Mary’s Academy High School and Ste­phanie Powell, also a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy.

Harris is studying biology at S.U.N.O. this fall. The daughter of Shonda Harris, Maya, says the Scholarship committee members, was selected for an impressive performance in her academic studies in high school.

Jackson, the daughter of Jacinta Jackson, is also majoring in biology but at Dillard University. Committee members were inspired by Jennifer’s participation in Dillard’s Upward Bound Program and Math Science Research Institute, as well as being on the Principal’s Honor Roll.

Stephanie Powell who recently began her studies in pharmacy at Xavier University, was during her high school tenure, a member of the Principal’s Honor Roll, Honor Society, Yearbook Staff, Dance Team, Key Club, Pre-Alumnae Club, Chorus and she did many hours of volunteer service at West Jefferson Medical Center. As a result of her academic achievement and service work, Stephanie was also awarded an additional $1,000 National Scholarship. She is the daughter of Freddie and Annette Powell.

Eta Phi Beta is a national service sorority organized in Detroit, Michigan, in 1942, and has as its motto, “Not For Ourselves, But For Others.” The New Orleans chapter was chartered in 1962 with active members Amy Harris and Alice Douglas.

Omicron Chapter’s current president is Juanita Elliott and Sandra Wilson served as immediate past president. Chairpersons of Omicron Chapter’s Scholarship Committee were Chair, Loretta Alexander; Co-Chair, Janice Brown and members Amy Harris, Gretchen Peoples, Sandra Scott and Ingrid Thompson. National Officers in Omicron are Joyce Taylor, National Education Director and Barbara Doublet, National Second Vice-President.

This article was originally published in the November 14, 2011 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper