ASPSF awards 56 Spring 2024 scholarships to single parents in Northeast Arkansas

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund congratulates the Spring 2024 scholarship recipients from the counties of Clay, Craighead, Greene, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, and Randolph in Northeast Arkansas.

Thanks to the support of local donors and state funding, ASPSF awarded scholarships to 56 single parents pursuing associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and skilled-trade certificates. The single parents were honored at an awards ceremony at St. Bernards Auditorium in Jonesboro on Feb. 3.

Local ASPSF volunteers Audrey Lee, Kimber Boone, Marti Little, Dr. Paula Rose-Greer, Ravan Gaston, and Shana Pierce were present to assist with the event. Other volunteers outside of the ASPSF organization also helped out.

ASPSF would also like to thank St. Bernards Auditorium for lending the use of their venue for the ceremony as well as to Highland Drive Walmart in Jonesboro for helping to provide a brunch buffet for the students, their children and guests.

Recipients and their families received a breakfast buffet thanks to Walmart.

“The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship allows me to be able to do so many things with my college journey and my children,” said Dashawana Mason, a Greene County Black River Technical College student pursuing an associate degree in nursing.

“These scholarships normally help me get gas to school, supplies, and help me get necessities for my two boys for their school,” she said. “This scholarship always empowers me that even though I am a single parent, I can always achieve my dream and show my children they can, too.”

ASPSF’s flexible scholarship of up to $1,600 helps low-income single parents pay for the biggest financial obstacles to obtaining a degree leading to a career with family-supporting wages. The monetary aid is paired with mentoring, financial instruction, and career coaching — the soft skill training that transforms students into sought-after employees.

Greene County student Dashawna Mason received her certificate and check at an Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund awards ceremony on Feb. 3 held at St. Bernards Auditorium.

Among the students receiving a single parent scholarship were: Amanda Leslie, Amber Fletcher, Cassandra S., China McChristian, Claudeya W., Cyann A., Dawn H., Deondra Victory, Destiny T., Dymon D., Jasmine W., Kallen Howard, Katherine Pryor, Kayla Moore, Megan Thiesse, Melissa Rodgriguez, Micah Fisher, Cartiera B., Raven P., Ronisha B., Samantha Tatem, and Whitley C., all of Craighead County. Mississippi County students included Albert B., Alicia D., Angel Winter, Anthony L., Doris Thomas, Erika F., Ieasha C., Jada Wilson, Kavonna Bennett, Kayla Griffin, Laterica Burton, Marcy M., Mauricia Jones, Misty Adams, Quaniesha F., Quintryce W., Sandra McDuffey, and Shawnequa Smith. From Poinsett County, Harden Daniels, Jennifer Tyler, Natalie Traynom, and Tammy Cooper were awarded. Dashawna Mason from Greene County and Mary-Kerrigan Graham from Randolph County were also awarded as well as additional students not named for privacy reasons.

Last year, the ASPSF Northeast Region awarded $158,900 in scholarships to 120 single parents, who showed their children that higher education is within reach. This investment not only strengthens communities with viable economic impact but also emboldens entire families to imagine a brighter future.

Craighead County student Melissa Rodriguez, pictured with her children, receives her 2023 Spring scholarship certificate and check at the Feb. 3 Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund awards reception at St. Bernards Auditorium.

ASPSF volunteer, Shana Pierce, presents Poinsett County student Harden Daniels and daughter with his certificate and check at an Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund awards ceremony on Feb. 3 held at St. Bernards Auditorium.