BLADENBORO — Scholarships were awarded to seven youth at the 18th annual Shipman Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser at St. James AME Zion Church.
There have been 106 scholarships awarded since 2002 through the fund for youth from Bladen and Columbus counties. This year’s $500 scholarship recipients were:
• Keymon Cromartie, freshman at UNC Pembroke, majoring in visual arts; parents are Shereese Cromartie and Fred Cromartie.
• Ariel Freeman, freshman at N.C. Central, majoring in psychology; parents are John and Sandra Edwards.
• Le’Aysa Jones, freshman at Winston-Salem State, majoring in social work; parents are Cynthia and Keno Jones.
• Braydan McDowell, freshman at UNC Charlotte, majoring in kinesiology; parent is the Rev. Jerry McDowell.
• Avionna Powell, freshman at East Carolina, majoring in nursing; parents are Angela Byrd and Bryan Powell.
• Nsaia Rogers, freshman at UNC Greensboro, majoring in kinesiology; parents are Regina Garcia and Bert Rogers.
• Michael Wax II, freshman at UNC Chapel Hill, majoring in biology; parents are Karen and Michael Wax Sr.
The Rev. Victor Singletary was guest minister and joined by his choir and church family from Round Branch Baptist Church in Bladenboro. Luther Barnes brought a musical tribute, “Spirit Fall Fresh,” for deceased members William Dewey Shipman Sr., Zenah Mae Clarida Shipman, William Dewey Shipman Jr., Dr. Andrakeia Shipman and Raunchy Wendell Shipman.
Eliya Taron Best was the master of ceremonies and introduced by his mother, Thedosia Williams. Best is a freshman at Dudley High School Early College Academy in Greensboro.
