The Mid-South Chapter of the Independent Telecommunications Pioneer Association (ITPA) has announced the recipient of its Billy D. Young Memorial Scholarship as Alabama Christian Academy graduate Ella Grace Dicks of Ramer.

Dicks intends to pursue a degree in Forensic Investigation with a Master’s in Criminal Justice at Jacksonville State University. The daughter of Joseph and Amy Dicks was described as standing out “for her strong academic performance, community engagement and dedication to service.” She worked as a lifeguard, daycare assistant and volunteered at ACA events. 

The Billy D. Young Memorial Scholarship is the ITPA’s highest honor, a $5,000 scholarship. The scholarship was established in honor of Young, a U.S. Air Force veteran and lifelong telecommunications professional. The scholarship supports high school seniors and undergraduate students who are children or grandchildren of employees at BAAM member companies or the ITPA Mid-South Chapter. 

Recipients are selected through a competitive two-phase process that emphasizes academic achievement, leadership, extracurricular involvement and a personal essay. 

For more information about the IPTA Mid-South Chapter and the scholarship program, visit midsouthitpa.org.