Essays by Twelve Scholarship Winners 2009
Twelve members of SsAM returned to school in the fall of 2009 supported by scholarships awarded through the Canon Lloyd Casson Scholarship Program. The program, administered by the Community Advocacy Committee, receives funding from the church budget and parishioners’ donations through the AIM Fund.
Applicants for the scholarships must attend SsAM and submit an essay with their application form. Here are excerpts for the students’ letters. SsAM is very proud of these young people as they pursue higher education and their commitment to the community.
1. Naa-Okailey Annan – Howard University Sophomore
One class that will always be engraved in my memory is my second semester English class. Upon entering the class, my teacher explained to us that her classes are themed classes and this semester's theme was hip hop. While covering Tupac, we were required to read Holler If You Hear Me by Micheal Eric Dyson. It was only fitting that once we completed our assignment, he came to speak on Howard's campus in our legendary chapel. Having the opportunity to meet a world renowned author such as Micheal Eric Dyson is an experience that I would not have had if I did not attend college.
I had been involved in an organization called Public Relations Student Society of America. The club focused on giving its members hands on experience with public relations. Many successful publicists came to speak to us during our meetings. During one of the meetings, we were blessed with the opportunity to meet Omarosa from the Apprentice.
In conclusion, Howard University has given me ample opportunities to meet successful
African Americans while also enjoying what it means to attend this university.
2. Andrew Byrd –University of Delaware Senior
Since the start of the New Year, I have interned at the United Nations, volunteered at my University’s Study Abroad office and completed community service in Mexico, all while maintaining a solid Dean's List GPA. As a rising senior at the University of Delaware, I major in International Relations and Spanish Studies, with a minor in Arabic Studies. During the past two fall semesters I have worked as a volunteer with the Delaware Democratic Party. This past election day I drove elderly voters to the polls so they could vote in an historic election. I have also held important positions on campus, as a resident assistant to incoming freshman and as a Study Abroad Ambassador. Finally, as required by my International Relations major, I have chosen to study abroad in Cairo, Egypt. With this unique, educational building experience, I will be able to strengthen my Arabic skills through full language immersion.
3. Tyler Byrd – Elon University - Sophomore
During my freshman year at Elon University, I strived to embody the Episcopalian value of goodwill, which was instilled in me during my time as a member of Ssam Soul Youth Group and attending church. In life I strive to help others whenever I am able. During my first year of college I was able to get more well acquainted with my community through volunteering my time at the weekly game night at the local retirement home and collecting extra meal plans from students to donate to the local food bank.
After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to further my education by attending dental school. Receiving the Saints Andrew and Mathew scholarship last year assisted me in purchasing a laptop computer, which has been an essential part of my studies.
4. La’Erica Conner-Sims – Delaware State University Freshman
I feel I should be considered for the Ss. Andrew and Matthew Scholarship because of how active I have been at my school, church and other after-school programs. In the beginning of this year, I traveled to New Orleans with a few members of our youth group here at church along with members of several other churches. During our stay down there, we worked on a house, repainting it and doing other necessary things. I have done a lot more community service while I was in my scholarship program Delaware Futures. Last year, the rising senior class went to Chicago, Illinois, to do our senior community service project.
I was also active here at church in past years. I have assisted in ushering, acolyting, helping with Sunday School, and even assisting in the Fashion Show that has been held by our youth group since 2007. I have also received several honor roll awards along with a good amount of perfect attendance awards given to me in my senior year at William Penn High School.
5. Christian Harvey – LaSalle University Senior
I would like to be considered again for the Saints Andrew and Matthew Scholarship because the scholarship has helped me so much the past three years. While in college, I have tried to make the most of life. I have my fair share of fun in college, but I am also very involved at my college. Here are a few of the organizations that I am involved in at school: Big Brother/Big Sister, Police Athletic League (P.A.L.), Aids Out Reach, Soup Kitchen, and I was a resident assistant (R.A.) in my sophomore year of school. Most of the organizations that I am involved in are community service organizations to help others. One main organization that I am in that is not a community service organization is the men’s tennis team. Upon my graduation is May, I do not know if I want to go to law school, work towards a PhD, or join the job market.
6. Jordan Hastie – Yale University Freshman
I feel that I should be considered for the Ss. Andrew and Matthew Scholarship because of the hard work that I did in high school and the hard work that I know that I will do in college. I attended The Tatnall School and graduated in the top 10% of my class. I was chosen to be in the Cum Laude Society, which is a national honor society, and at the end of my junior year I won the Frances D. Tatnall Award given to the junior who the faculty feels embodies the ideals of the Tatnall community (integrity, sportsmanship and citizenship). This year I won the Wooden Spoon Award which is given annually to one girl and one boy from the senior class and is presented at graduation. The award is voted on by the senior class and is given to the girl and the boy who the class feels is a good student and who is kind and caring to everyone every day. I am a recipient of a National Achievement Scholarship and I have achieved the AP Scholar designation from my junior year AP scores. My career goal is to pursue a career in medicine.
7. Jazmyn Holt – Wilmington College, Graduate Studies
I am writing this letter to be considered for the SsAM scholarship. I have been a previous recipient of the scholarship while completing my undergraduate degree in Sport Management from Delaware State University. The scholarship has helped with tuition, books, lab fees, etc. I am currently looking to pursue my Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Wilmington University. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to once again receive the scholarship because the money has helped so much in the past.
8. Tanisha Julius – Goldey-Beacom College
The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew has taken an active role in my growth and development. From childhood, members of the congregation have invested their love and support in me allowing me to blossom into the woman that I am today. When I found myself at a crossroads in life, I returned to SsAM for that same guidance and support. Upon returning from college I was asked to coordinate the Sunday school program, which has been a wonderful experience. I received a great level of satisfaction from working with the children of SsAM. I only hope to contribute to their lives in the way that you all have contributed to mine. As Administrative Assistant I work closely with the different ministries to help bring about SsAM’s mission. Doing this work at a young age has helped shape my identity. I find that my values and goals center on the work that I do at SsAM. The members of this congregation have served as role models to me and give me something to aspire to. Being awarded this scholarship is another example of the support that SsAMs has given me. I will use this money to fund my education at Goldey Beacom College, where I am a Business Administration major, with a concentration in Human Resources. While I still have many steps left in my journey to compete schooling, I am blessed to have The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew in my corner.
9. Kristin Lake – University of Maryland, College Park Junior
I am Anthropology major with a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This past semester I teamed up with my biological anthropology professor and worked on research pertaining to skeletal remains from the early 19th century. I also helped this same professor re-write her masters’ thesis which will be published sometime in late 2009. I received academic honors for the spring 2009 semester, and in my department, I will be a future prospect for departmental honors. Not only am I very active throughout the anthropological community at my school, but I am also a member of the Black Student Union and the Multicultural and Biracial Student Association. I volunteered at the American Red Cross blood drive, and I look forward to interning with this organization this fall.
10. Charlene Ralston – Springfield College, Returning to School After Absence
Nine years ago God started a marvelous work in me. I started to attend the Sunday breakfast for the homeless and hungry at Saints Andrew & Matthew Church. I came through that door because I was hungry. I did not know it would be a door to so much more. After the breakfast, I ventured to attend the worship service held downstairs in the Chapel. In this atmosphere of acceptance without condemnation, I began to connect again with my spirit. I began to connect again with other people’s spirits and God’s marvelous work began to show.
It is because of this uniquely SsAM experience that I have developed a desire to serve the needs of others, particularly women who are in the same difficult situations that I have been through. As well as my life experience, I believe the 34 years I have spent serving the public in the field of food service has helped me to sense the needs of others and respond quickly. I have held the same job for almost 20 years. I think this speaks to my ability to stay the course. I have been accepted at Springfield College of Human Service. There I hope to obtain an education that will prepare me to pursue my vision of working in a women’s shelter or some equitable facility.
11. Darren Saunders – Temple University Junior
I recently completed my second year at Ursinus College, and I also turned twenty years old. Going into this new chapter in my life, the essence of adolescence has left and I feel refreshed. With this new state of mind I realized Ursinus College was no longer the institution for me. One issue I had was the lack of variety in classes and majors; this along with other reasons has led to my decision to transfer to Temple University. Along with transferring I have switched my major from sociology to African American Studies, with hopes of bettering the education and living conditions in the inner city and elsewhere. At Temple I will continue my extra-curricular activities such as student unions, intramural sports, and youth tutoring, in addition to my studies. I am also a member of the Rising Suns, a black male organization devoted to volunteerism, scholastics, and other community based activities throughout our school and local towns.
12. Courtney Streett – Columbia School of Journalism Grad School
In the language of my ancestors, the Nanticoke Indian Tribe of Delaware, my last name translates to Earth Keeper. I intend to fulfill its meaning. I hope to be a broadcaster to educate and inspire the public to take environmental action as a means of maintaining the resources of our planet, gifts from God, for future generations.
I have prepared for a career in broadcasting. I have taught rising high school students environmental science, interned in the office of now Vice President Biden on constituent and environmental concerns, and researched the effects of different soil and growing conditions in the greenhouses of Wellesley College.
In the fall of 2007 and summer of 2008, I interned at the assignment desk and in special events of the Boston CBS affiliate station, WBZ-TV. While there, I had the opportunity to research, write, and edit my own news story. “The Garden’s Lesson” featured an organization that provided inner-city youth with an alternative to the streets through lessons in food production and preparation, environmental reclamation, and economics. The story demonstrated how a small plot of land could reap significant financial and social returns while also raising environmental awareness. Attending graduate school will help me become not simply a broadcaster, but a great environmental broadcaster who motivates viewers to become active and aware.