SCHOLARSHIP
Congratulations to the 2022 JACA Scholarship Recipients
Sade James ​
​
Sade James is a recent graduate of Union Academy, where she maintained a high GPA of 3.96. She is of Jamaican heritage and highly involved in all the organizations that affect her school, church, and her neighborhood. Sade still maintained her academic standing on the honor roll while being a member of Beta, Spanish Heritage Club, and Advisory Council. She is not only a scholar but an athlete, evidenced by her award as track and field women’s MVP. The church is another aspect of her life, and she works in the ministry that prepares meals to feed the homeless at the local men’s shelter. The elderly have a special place in Sade’s heart, she takes them on walks, paints their nails, gives them hand massages, and has movie time with them. The sentiment of those whom she has been in contact with is that Sade’s work ethics and academic accomplishments are definitely remarkable. They say that she is a bright beacon to those around her inspiring them to be giving, hardworking, and to be better individuals. Her peers try to emulate her leadership and advocacy skills. Sade is committed to tackling stereotypes but specifically the one that directly affects her as a four feet nine inches person. The goal is to educate people and debunk misconceptions. She will accomplish this by pursuing a degree in psychiatry at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
David Alen III​
​
David Allen III graduated from David W Butler High School in Matthews. He achieved an impressive 4.5 GPA, earning a class rank of #2 out of over 400 students. David completed several AP and Honors courses, earning the AP Scholars Award, Excellence in AP Computer Science, and A Honor Roll distinctions. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. He has also participated in the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout, the Young Black Leadership Alliance, and the Technology Student Association Club. His counselor indicates that he has consistently performed above expectations of his academic pursuits and is known as a dynamic student committed to community involvement. “It is rare to find a student as well-rounded as David. He has consistently demonstrated excellence in the class and in the community.” David hopes to solve the problem of global accessibility of knowledge by using computers and technology to make the lives of people easier and more enjoyable. He plans to attend NC A&T State University in the fall to major in Computer Science and become a software developer in the future.
Brandon Thompson ​
​
Brandon Thompson graduated from Atkins Academic & Technology High school where he maintained a GPA of 3.95 and impressively completed 11 AP & Honors program classes, and was a Crosby scholar for seven consecutive years. Brandon is of Jamaican heritage and is a gifted and well-rounded student. His AP teacher describes Brandon as “a strong student with a quiet maturity and wonderful sense of humor that he makes students feel at ease.” In addition to his academic achievements, he is the President and Founder of the Atkins Debate Club, a member of the Chess club, and on the Atkins Track and Field Team. Brandon also has actively participated by volunteering with the Area Food Pantry and Vacation Bible School summer programs. Brandon has been accepted to the Virginia Technology College of Engineering for Computer Science and plans to major in Software Engineering. He hopes to use his technology skills to help uplift his community through the expanded use of technology.
Morgan Abrams ​
​
Morgan Abrams graduated from the Central Academy of Technology and Arts in Monroe. She distinguished herself academically by maintaining a 4.39 GPA in addition to the AB Honor Roll, Academic Excellence in Mandarin Studies, and the National Honor Society. Morgan developed an early interest in technology and while in high school earned Certifications in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Technology Assistant, and TestOut Routing and Switching. Her STEM experience includes Project Scientist Camp, Camp Invention, Black Girls Code, Microsoft DidGirlz, and InfraGard Cyber camp. Morgan is committed to building on this experience in efforts to close the gap between minority and female representation in STEM-related professions. She states that “Just as people invested in me to teach me how to code, or how to build cell phone apps, I believe that paying it forward in my community is an excellent place to start.” One of her teachers attests that she sets very high goals and will do whatever it takes to meet those goals. He adds, “Her work is always done at a very high level.” Morgan plans to attend High Point University in the fall and will major in Computer Engineering.
Don Yee Memorial Scholarship Recipient -Tyler Magana ​
​
Tyler Magana is a recent graduate of Charlotte Early Engineering College with a 3.62 GPA. He maintained a place on the honor roll while owning his company, Lawn by Two Brothers, and swimming competitively. He is a lifeguard and is involved in the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program (MYEP). He is a bodybuilder, plays chess, and tennis, and feeds the homeless at the local YMCA. Tyler will attend North Carolina A&T University where he will major in marketing. He will utilize the knowledge acquired there to help to build wealth to assist the African American community. Tyler would like to give back and serve the people in his demographics by providing business marketing expertise for Black-Owned Businesses and stressing the importance of education. He believes African Americans are underrepresented in swimming and so would like to provide opportunities for people of color to participate in swimming. One of Tyler’s teachers mentioned that he is already used to studying in a college environment, adjusting to adversity, collaborates well with his peers, and has a great sense of humor. The Associate Executive Director of the YMCA states that Tyler has great leadership skills and works well on his own initiative to motivate others. They expect him to be a success in his endeavors.
Gloria M. Brown Memorial Scholarship Recipient - Alexa Fuller ​
​
Alexa Fuller graduated from Julius L. Chambers High School. She maintained a 3.5 GPA, ranked in the top 15% of her graduating class, and has completed several AP and Honors courses. Alexa is of Jamaican descent and attributes her passion for hard work and community leadership to her Caribbean upbringing and the many lessons taught by her parents Raquel and Carlton Fuller. Her extracurricular activities in high school included Volleyball, competing at AAU levels, and serving as captain of the school team. She also maintained part-time employment during the school year and volunteered with Bags for Homeless at Elevation Church. Her employer states that “she is hard-working, ambitious, and eager to help anyone in the best way she can. The compassion and consideration she has for people is touching and definitely shows in the work environment through her interactions with customers.” One of her AP teachers expresses how she “gets it” and is in an elite category of high school students. “She studies what she learns. She is able to articulate a viewpoint through close analysis,” says the teacher. Alexa will attend UNC Greensboro and pursue a career in
Nursing.
Young Family Scholarship Recipient - Jasmyn Amina Woods ​
​
Jasmyn Amina Woods is a recent graduate of Jay M. Robinson High School, who maintained a GPA of 3.62 while excelling in sports. She has been playing soccer for many years and has served as co-captain of her high school varsity soccer team. Jasmyn is heavily invested in the arts and is a member of the Acapella and Chamber Chorus. She has even made it to All-State and All-Country Chorus. Despite her busy schedule, she volunteers for Meals on Wheels, assists in the Sunday School at her Baptist Church, participates in the YMCA annual toy drive, disseminates supplies and food at the local Salvation Army, and is involved with the Special Olympics. The reference provided by her math teacher states “I highly doubt that you will find a harder-working, more respectful, independently driven candidate than she. I also have no question in my mind that, as a recipient, she will represent well all that the scholarship stands for”. This sentiment was also corroborated by her pastor. Jasmyn will attend Wingate University, majoring in Sports Medicine. She wants to continue her altruism by using her college degree to coach young children in soccer and establish programs to create activities that will provide an outlet for children while giving mothers peace of mind.
JACA & Seepersaud Family Scholarship Recipient - Lenique Huggins ​
​
Lenique Huggins has recently graduated from Duke University with an amazing GPA of 3.8 and has just accepted an offer from Yale School of Medicine. Lenique is a very talented student of St. Vincent heritage. The Founder and Executive Director of the Village Group describes Lenique “Ms. Lenique Huggins stands out above all the rest as exceptional. Her extraordinary intellect combined with her gifts for connecting with people of all ages and providing “healing” via observing, listening, and caring were, quite frankly, remarkable.” In addition, the Director & CEO of the Arts for the Aging submitted a three-page recommendation and states “I came to know Lenique as her boss through my position as the Director and CEO of Arts for the Aging, a non-profit organization that provides participatory, multidisciplinary, therapeutic arts programming to older adults and caregivers. Lenique has demonstrated nimble, collaborative, and compassionate approaches to our evolving work and reinvention spreading joy and better health to older adults and their caregivers through regular participation in multidisciplinary, participatory, and inclusive arts programs.” JACA & The Seepersaud family is honored to recognize and reward a future doctor, who has a strong desire to help others in the community.