The Virgin Islands was second, after Chicago, in scholarship funds awarded by The Michael’s Organization Educational Foundation and on Thursday the nine St. Croix recipients were recognized at the Croixville Apartments.
Of $500,000 in scholarships nationwide for 2014-15, the V.I. scholars received $27,000 in addition to several thousand more for children of employees in the affordable housing communities owned and/or managed by The Michaels Organization on St. Croix.
The $1,000 – $5, 000 scholarship grants are based on grade point average and an essay each candidate submitted, according to by Roger Williams, vice president of Interstate Realty Management.
“We also look at the school, the expenses and the need,” he added.
The Michaels Organization is the parent company of Interstate Realty Management of Marleton, N.J., which manages Canebrake Apartments, Harbourview Apartments and Croixville.
The scholarship winners came from the three housing communities and all but one of the winners has already started college. Their fields of study range from business, hospitality and tourism to health care, finance, early childhood education and mechanical engineering. The nine women are attending Howard University in Washington, D.C., Ashford University, Monroe College, American International University and the University of the Virgin Islands.
Recipient Sonja Acosta is a single parent with five children, ranging in age from 1 to 18 years old. Despite her responsibilities, she has earned a paralegal degree and is a sophomore at UVI studying nursing. She plans to graduate in 2016 as a registered nurse.
“The scholarship means a lot because nursing is a lot of expense – lab fees, uniforms, books – so this has really helped me out,” Acosta said after the scholarship presentation.
Shawnna Stringfellow, a graduate of Central High School, is a single parent with sons aged 7 and 8. She has already completed a year at UVI but enrolled online in accounting classes at American International University to have more time at home with her children. She said the scholarship is “a huge help.” Stringfellow’s plans include an accounting degree, a C.P.A. designation and tax work.
The scholarship recipients were congratulated by Williams and Jennifer Humes, development officer for The Michaels Organization. Social services coordinators Jamie Johnson and Cruselda Roberts and residence manager Bobbi Gomes congratulated and introduced the scholarship winners.
Williams listed the national scholarship amounts over the last few years and said the goal for 2016 is $750,000.
“We encourage everybody to get back (to school) and get their education,” he said.
The scholarship recipients, along with Acosta and Stringfellow, included Jashana Scotland and Vanessa Peter, both attending Howard University. Scotland, with a 3.87 GPA, is studying mechanical engineering. Peter has maintained a 3.7 GPA towards degrees in mechanical engineering and biology.
LaTanya George, Sherlian Obeius and Nnenka Boyd attend UVI. George plans a major in business administration, Obeius wants to be a registered nurse, and Boyd is studying hotel and tourism management.
At Ashford University in California, Sheryn Richard is studying finance, and Ronkicia Williams is entering her freshman year at New York’s Monroe College to major in early childhood education.
Recipients of scholarships for employees’ children include Sharifa Browne for social work and Khalifa Antoine, studying psychology, both at Barry University. Kimesha Barnes and Dillon Inglis Jr. attend Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, where Barnes studies pharmacy and Inglis is in electrical engineering. Shakeira Inglis, who attends Tallahassee Community College in Florida, is studying biochemistry.
Owner/founder of The Michaels Organization, Michael Levitt created the foundation in 1991 and the foundation has awarded more than $3.5 million in scholarships since then.
The Michaels Organization includes 360 properties in 34 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. Williams and Humes also attended the groundbreaking on St. Thomas for Sugar Estates.
