When the Troy United Women’s League was accepting scholarship applications in the early spring from seniors at Pike County schools, they were impressed with the students who applied.

“It was evident that we had applications from students who are very deserving of scholarships,” said Shelia Deveridge, League immediate past president. “Not only are they outstanding students academically, they excel in sports and are involved in extra curricular activities. They are committed to community service and are good citizens and exemplary role models for other young people.”

Deveridge said God has always blessed the TUWL by providing the funds they need to award scholarships to deserving students. “This year, we have nine seniors who have worked hard and applied themselves and who will, we believe, continue to reach for the stars,” said Ann McMillian. “I am so happy to see that, this year, we have more scholarship recipients who are young men than ladies. We know what often happens to our guys and these young men come from good backgrounds.”

McMillian challenged the scholarship recipients to keep God in their lives. “If God be for you, the whole world cannot be against you,” she said. “I pray that God continues to bless you and wish you all success.” The recipients of the 2009 Troy United Women’s League scholarships are Stephen Baker, Charles Henderson High School; T.J. Rodgers, Goshen High School; Erica Henderson, CHHS; LaRance McSwain, CHHS; Candice Harvey, Pike County High School; Ramarko Fayson, CHHS; Levanda Barnes, CHHS; Alzamar Wallace, Highland Home High School; and Nicholas Cooper, PCHS.

The Troy United Women’s League was organized in 1985 as a community service organization. “We are united to make things happen so that we can help others,” Deveridge said. “We fund our scholarships through our annual Black History Banquet and God has blessed us so that we have the money needed for our scholarship program.”

Awarding scholarships is just one of the many things that the TUWL does to help the community. “We assist students with money to purchase textbooks and for trips,” Deveridge said. “If we have students who have the opportunity to go on an educational trip or to a conference but don’t have all the necessary funds, we’ll jump in and help. We support all the sports programs at all the high schools. We also provide assistance to the elderly, the sick and shut-ins. We provide transportation for cancer patients to go to treatments. And, recently, we have helped with a lot of burial expenses. When there’s house fire, we do what we can to help the family with clothing, food and other needs. And, we sponsor kids at Christmas time.”

Even with all the good works that the TUWL does, Deveridge said the scholarships they award to promising young people are among their most important deeds.

“These young people are the future of our community and our country,” she said. “They all have bright futures awaiting them and we are confident that they will succeed at whatever they choose to do.”