Delta gives scholarships to 14 seniors

By Joe Ann Houston,
Special to the Outlook

Neither rain nor hail could to stop members of the Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. from honoring their 2022 scholarship recipients, as the chapter recently awarded 14 local high school students.

Scholarship recipients are: Alyssa Cooper, Bryce Cummings, Hannah Francis, Gabrielle Giles, Deja Haire, Arianna Jones, Madison McNealy, Ann Nguyen, Traylin Price, Errianna Qualla, Katelyn Reddick, Breyonne Smith, Darrell Williams and Te’Anna Williams.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the chapter held a “Drive of Honor” on the campus of the FAMU Developmental Research School.

Members of the chapter lined the sidewalk as the processional of cars drove slowly along a u-shaped driveway that was decorated with red and white balloons, banners and cheering chapter members. The decoration was a message of well-wishes for the prospective graduates. 

Each student was given a Delta box that contained their scholarship medallion, award letter, and award certificate.  And they received a dessert box that contained cupcakes watching the program. At the end of the “Drive of Honor”, they were allowed to take a selfie from their cars in a Delta photo-frame. 

“We wanted the students to experience the same excitement they would have had if we’d met in person,” said Beverly Barrington, chair of the Scholarship and Awards Committee. “So we braved the weather to do that.”

The Deltas will be awarding a total of $56,000 in scholarships this year.  The high school students, who will be starting post-secondary institutions, received $38,000 on May1. An additional $18,000 will be distributed in the fall to students who are currently in college. In the last two years, the Tallahassee Alumnae Chapter has awarded in excess of $100,000 to students from their service area, which includes Leon, Madison, Wakulla, Taylor and Jefferson counties.

The day ended with the virtual program that was presented on the chapter’s webpage.

The Scholarship Program was the first activity in the chapter’s May Week Celebration, a national initiative established in 1920. The remainder of the May Week included workshops and panel discussions on entrepreneurship, and voting, and an evening with local singing talent. The week ended with “Debry with the Deltas.”