St. Elmo High School, Inc. will award five scholarships to area students at a Scholarship Legacy Brunch during its 2019 all-school reunion to be held June 29-30.
Brianna Nicole Hawthorne is the daughter of Robert and Olivia Hawthorne. She is a graduate of Murphy High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She participated in the 2019 Beautillion Militaire; is a member of the Exceptional Queens of Beauty who perform community service projects throughout the city; and a member of the NAACP. She will be attending Auburn University at Montgomery, AL. She said, “I want to attend college for the purpose of career advancement. I feel that going to college and obtaining my degree will make me more marketable and will allow me to reach my life’s goal of becoming an attorney. I plan to share my talents with my family and community in the promotion of education.” Brianna is a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, where she attends Sunday School and is a member of the Youth Choir. Her grandmother Iola Deese Burke, class of 1959 is an alumna of St. Elmo and her sponsor is Margaret Thompson Cephas, Class of 1961.
Jarvis Khalil Phillips is the son of Karmen Tolbert Phillips and Jarvis Phillips. He is a graduate of Alma Bryant High School where he was on the baseball and football teams. His main goal now is to attend college. He says,” I’ve decided that college is the best route for three reasons: my personal ambitions; my family’s expectations; and my future professional career. College also will sharpen my communications skills, expand my knowledge base; make me more methodical and organized as well as secure my future.” Also, he says, “College helps you get in tune with your inner self, open opportunities to meet new people and form new relationships.” Jarvis is a member of Providence Missionary Baptist Church where he participates in the Children and Youth Ministry and its activities such as workshops and holiday programs. Jarvis attends Sunday School, serves as the percussionist for all of the church choirs, as well as help to maintain the church yards. He is the grandson of Alumni Ronald and Marian Tolbert, Class of 1972. His sponsor is Nadine Showers, Class of 1958.
Jennifer Tolbert is the daughter of the late Cynthia Tolbert and is under the guardianship of her sister Phoebe Tolbert. She is a graduate of Alma Bryant High School where she amassed a 3.8 GPA, and was involved in the following activities: theatre, Ambassadors, Fashion Design Club, and Writers Guild. During the summer she performed community service activities with other students. She will be attending Auburn University at Montgomery, AL. pursuing her career as a Novelist. She says,” I believe college will open many opportunities for me: I see college as a place where I can grow and better myself; challenge my mind; meet new people with different stories to tell. My mother inspired me to be a strong woman with big dreams.” Jennifer is a member of Providence Missionary Baptist Church, and is the legacy of uncles and aunts who are alumni of St. Elmo. Because of her academic excellence and other achievements, Jennifer will receive the “Wallace Pope Scholarship” sponsored in memory of the late Wallace Pope, class of 1960, by wife Virginia Burroughs Pope, San Antonio, TX Class of 1961.
Dameyon White is the son of Charles and Crystal Kinn, and is a graduate of Alma Bryant High School. He is a member of Providence Missionary Baptist Church where he participates in the Children and Youth Ministry and its activities: singing in the choir, ushering, and participating in programs. He attends Sunday School and Association conventions. Dameyon plans to attend a technical college and receive an Associate Degree as a technician in Heating and Air Conditioning. He says, “I believe college is an opportunity to grow and to learn more ways than just studying books. Students gain value from getting a college education, such as learning to think outside the box and testing their mental limits. My most important reason for going to college is to make my family proud.” Dameyon has many aunts and uncles from the Coleman and Kinn families who are St. Elmo Alumni. His sponsor is Jean Tolbert, Class of 1955.
Kameron Williams is the son of Toni Williams and Stanley Williams, a graduate of Baker High School where he attained a 3.7 GPA. Kameron has been accepted to Southern University, LA and will major in courses that will lead him to his chosen career, Graphic Design. In his essay he said, “The reason I want to go to college is similar to many others: a desire to pursue my dream and get a job doing what I love. Growing up I had a passion for video games. I like the detail that goes into making them. It is the reason I want to go to college so that I can study art and design. I want to get to the point where I can create projects of my own and take it to the next level. College is the first step toward attaining this.” Kameron is a member of Friendship Baptist Church, Cody Road where he participates in youth activities. He is a legacy of the Travis Family: his aunt the late Annie Travis Murray was in the class of 1961, and his grandmother Thelma Travis Williams, Class of 1958 is his sponsor.
Since beginning the Scholarship Program in 2008, the group has awarded more than $25,000 to legacy students. Most of the students have gone on to successful careers or still in college pursuing their degree. In 1969 the high school was discontinued after integration, but the students incorporated and are pursuing their mission of “School and Heritage Preservation.” One goal of this mission is to award scholarships to students who are legacies of the students who attended St. Elmo High School.
Patricia McCants, class of ‘72 is the President and Jean Tolbert, Class of ‘55 and Faye Logan Glass Class of ‘69 are Scholarship Chairman, and Co-Chairman respectively
For more information on the organization call Jean Tolbert at 251-661-3915 or 703-447-5293.
