The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will award five scholarship opportunities to 2019 high school graduates from the local area schools, Pike County, Goshen, Charles Henderson, Pike Liberal Arts and New Life Christian.

Vanessa Williams, Pike County Branch NAACP education advisor, said the application process is open through March 21. The requirement is a 500-word essay on the importance of education in building and maintaining strong diverse communities.

“The awardees of the five scholarship will be announced on March 27 and will be honored at the organization’s Freedom Fund Black Tie Banquet at Troy University on April 27,” Williams said. “The value of each scholarship is $500.”

Williams said applications for the scholarships are at the guidance counselor’s office at each school and at pikenaacp5051.org.

The Pike County Branch NAACP is also seeking nominations for the 2019 NAACP awards that will be presented at the NAACP Black Tie Banquet on April 27.

Nomination forms and additional information are available on the NAACP website pikenaacp5051.org. Nominations must be completed and mailed to pikecountynaacp@gmail.com by March 21.

Williams said awards will be presented for Lifetime Achievement, Community Service, Unsung Hero/Heroine and Outstanding Business Person.

The Lifetime Achievement award will be presented to a Pike County resident who has demonstrated leadership skills and has gone beyond the call of duty or responsibility.

The Community Service award will be presented to a Pike Countian who has served without compensation while participating in numerous community service projects beyond that of a board member of a given organization.

The unsung hero or heroine should be a person who has enriched the Pike County community by serving as a catalyst for a cause, issue or organization without past recognition or compensation.

The outstanding business person may be an owner, partner or major shareholder of a “for profit” business headquartered in Pike County that has been operational for at least three years.

The nominee should have exhibited exemplarily customer service practices and/or community involvement and/or contributions particularly in the African American communities of Pike County.

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