Attorney Louis G. Scott Addresses Scholarship Program

The John H. Scott Memorial Fund will host its annual scholarship and awards program, Saturday, May 3, 2008 at the (old) Tallulah High School Cafeteria on Highway 65, near the Interstate 20 exit in Tallulah, at 10:00 a.m. 

The John H. Scott Memorial Fund is a non-profit organization, established after the 1980 death of Rev. Scott, a minister and civil rights leader from Lake Providence.  The fund memorializes Rev. Scott’s life, and that of his wife Alease through scholarships and other community awards.  For 27 years, the Scott Memorial Fund has made awards to outstanding students and community activists in East Carroll, West Carroll, Madison, Tensas, and Richland Parishes. This year, over $4,000 in scholarships, gifts and awards will be given.

The featured speaker for the program will be Attorney Louis Granderson Scott of Monroe.  Attorney Scott is a son of the late Rev. and Mrs. Scott.   He is a well-known and respected lawyer.    No doubt, this was the primary reason that he was asked to be lead counsel for one of the Jena Six. 

The award-winning book, Witness to the Truth, will be available for purchase during the program.  The book has been hailed as not only a chronicle of the life of Rev. Scott, but as authentic history of East Carroll Parish.  The author, Cleo Scott Brown, will be present to autograph your copy.

The program is not only informative; it is also festive with lots of door prizes and lunch. 

This program is free and open to the public.

For further information, contact Ms. Johnita Scott, chair, awards committee, 225/357-7909 or email: azena@intergate.com

Many Thanks to Our Donors!

We, the members of the John H. Scott Memorial Fund Board, wish to express our appreciation to our many donors who allow us to continue the work of Rev. John H. Scott.  Many of you contribute year after year and your consistency helps to provide stability to the Fund.  For 26 years, your generous support has provided opportunities to good students who otherwise might not have had enough funds for college. 

2007-08  Scholarship Recipients

We concluded our 26^th year on May 5, 2007 with the awarding of two scholarships at the J. H. Scott Memorial Fund Annual Scholarship Program at the Madison/Tallulah Community Center in Tallulah, LA.  Heather Nicole King from Lake Providence High School placed first and was awarded a $1600 scholarship.  In second place was Sallie La’Velle Guy of Tensas High School who was awarded $1200. Applicants compete for points in the areas of academic achievement, community and school involvement, an essay, need, letters of recommendation, and public presentation. 

Other scholarship applicants receiving graduation gifts from the fund were: Clinton Bailey, Kimberly Corrine Pollard, and Travis Eastern of Tensas High; Tiffany Ann Twanetta Wilson of Monticello High; and Cietra Jenal Stroughter and Jamie Williams of Lake Providence High.  Girl Power and their sponsors were also recognized.

Our guest speaker for our awards day was Mr. Travis Hunter, motivational speaker, songwriter, father, and author of the best selling novel, Hearts of Men”.  Mr. Hunter, who is from Atlanta, Georgia, encouraged our students to be the best they can be and to consider their many options for the future. Mr. Hunter is the founder of The Hearts of Men Foundation, an organization that funds and promotes programs for young people.  Mr. Hunter’s other novels include Something to Die For, A One Woman Man, Trouble Man, and Married but Still Looking.

Fast Way to Donate

Want an easy way to make your donation, one that does not involve a trip to the Post Office?  This year, consider making your payment on-line.  It will only take a minute-- okay—a couple of minutes.  Go to the Fund’s website, www.jhsfund.org and click on “Donations” on the left side of the home page.  On the “Donations” page, just click on the “Make a Donation” button and it will take you to a Pay Pal secure donation site.  On that site enter your payment information and you’re all done—all in a couple of minutes!

Other Awards

Angela Talia Hines was awarded the Alease Juanita Scott Memorial Award.  This is an award given in honor of Alease Scott, the wife of Rev. J. H. Scott.  This award honors her life by being offered to a person who promotes community improvement and pride mainly through work in organizations.  Congratulations to Ms. Hines for her outstanding community service.  Ms. Hines received a certificate and a $200 award.

Other awards are also available to students in Richland, Tensas, Madison, West or East Carroll Parishes; however, there were no applications received for any of the following awards.  If you know a worthy student who might qualify for next year, please share this information. Applications can be obtained from the public schools in the above parishes, from the JHS Fund, and from the JHS Fund's website.

The Angela Adjoa Toldson Memorial Award.  Angela was a granddaughter of Rev. and Mrs. Scott who was stricken with a rare form of epilepsy at the age of ten years and died at age 23.   Her faith and determination to continue her education despite the constant debilitating seizures inspired family, friends and others who came in contact with her. The student who receives this award must be one who is graduating from high school even though she/he has had to face disability, injury, disease, or other health challenges.

The Elder Tyrone Scott Memorial Award.  Tyrone Scott was a son of Rev. and Mrs. Scott.  He was blessed with outstanding creative ability--music, drama, story telling, drawing, and painting.  His magnetic personality drew all kinds of people to him and he shared words of wisdom and faith with them.  This award will be given to a talented student who is outstanding in creativity or artistic ability and who uses his/her talent in a positive way.

The Kendall T. Pullen Memorial Award.  Kendall was a grandson of Rev. and Mrs. Scott.  His life was cut short at the age of 21 years by random senseless violence.  At his funeral, scores of people, young, old, citizens, immigrants, educated and uneducated, lined up to pay tribute to the positive effect that he had on them.  This award is for a student who is enrolled in a trade or technical school in order to gain entry-level credentials for a job or career.  This student should be one who has qualities that are helpful and inspiring to others.

Katrina Relief Update

Last year we reported on efforts by The John H. Scott Memorial Fund and Board Member, Amatullah Umrani, to assist in Katrina Relief efforts.  Although the Fund is no longer soliciting funds for Katrina relief, let us all remember that the relief effort continues.  Director Umrani continues to work with displaced persons who relocated to her home area, Milwaukee. WI. These residents are frequently in need of assistance, especially with travel assistance South.  Most programs and assistance have ceased. If persons wish to make contributions earmarked for Katrina residents, they can be assured that 100% of contributions will be given to these residents.