| Every January, Women in Focus hold the I Have a Dream Ball to honor the legacy of Dr. King and to raise funds for its scholarship program. And the fulfillment of Dr. King's dream does not end there. Its scholarship program truly seeks to honor Dr. King's dream of a Beloved Community where people are not judged by the color of their skin, but rather by the content of their character. On April 22, Women in Focus hosted a scholarship reception for eleven scholarship recipients and their families and friends at Regina Hall on the Edgewood College campus. And in the spirit of giving back, Glenn Parks, a 1990 Dream scholarship recipient and now a therapist at the Mental Health Center of Dane County, gave words of advice to the soon-to-be college freshmen. Among his pointers was the need to choose good friends as they begin their adult lives. "Invite someone in your life to be a confidant, a person to whom you are willing to listen even when the truth is all they have to offer," Parks said. "A person willing to risk their friendship for the sake of honesty is someone who is truly committed to seeing you be the most effective and accomplished person that you can be. Such a friend understands to give you anything else is less than complete sincerity. At times, the advice we don't want to hear is that which we need most." Parks ended his remarks by challenging the recipients to always seek the higher ground. "My charge is to use your talents as leaders to strengthen those around you," Parks said. "Seek the good of others, pursue justice in the face of adversity and defend that which you know to be right." The 2007 Women in Focus scholarship winners are: Janessa Boone will be graduating from West High School where she is taking accelerated and Honors courses and is on the varsity basketball team. Janessa also serves as vice president of the Black Student Union. Last year, Janessa was on the winning team of 100 Black Men's African American History Bowl, which qualified her to participate at the national level. She is an active member of the Evangel Life Center and looks ahead to a career as a Counseling Psychologist. Pearl Frye-Joplin will be graduating from East High School. Up until this year she attended Seton Academy in Illinois where she was recognized by the National Honor Society and participated in several clubs including Big Sister Little Brother, Peer Mediation and Spanish. She has been active in sports and will chose a major in the sciences in preparation for work as either a veterinarian or physician. Lori Harris is a Memorial High School senior who has spent the last several summers attending programs of the Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth through which she has been able to earn college credit. Lori has spent time with the residents of Oakwood Village Nursing Home, tutoring children in the after school program at the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County and helping the homeless meals program at the Villager Mall. Lori plans to study at UW-Madison in preparation for medical school. Tehera Hawkins attends LaFollette High School where she has excelled in Advanced Placement and other advanced classes. Tehera has been active in LaFollete's music program playing in the Concert, Symphony and Pit Orchestras. Tehera has volunteered as a blood donor, participated in highway cleanups and food drives and managed the football team. Tehera plans to attend the UW-Madison majoring in Pharmacy. Tehera is the recipient of Women in Focus' "Miss Annie Mae Scholarship Award." Bolajoko Olaniyan will be graduating from Middleton High School where she has been inducted into the National Honor Society and the International Thespian Society as well as receiving letters in music, drama and academics. Among other community contributions, Bola is a founding member of Middleton High School's Invisible World which raises money for children in Uganda; she serves as an orchestra mentor for 4th and 5th graders; and she coordinates youth activities for the Union of Nigerians in the Madison Area. Bola plans to study architecture after completing her undergraduate degree. Trisha Pedone is an Edgewood High School senior. Trisha has been on High Honor Roll all four years and is a member of the National Honor Society. Her summers have been spent studying at Notre Dame University and at the University of Wisconsin as a medical school research apprentice. Trisha has been active as a member of Sisters Taking Active Roles and serving as president of the Multicultural Club. She has also volunteered as a performer and instructor with Ballet Folklorico. Trisha intends to pursue a career in Pharmacy. Nathaniel Pharmer-Eden will graduate from East High School where he has been an honor-roll student. He has done volunteer work as a member of the KOJO Drill Team and is a member of East's Black Student Alliance. Nathaniel serves as a reading tutor to elementary school students and has been honored with the Dr. Martin Luther King Award. Nathaniel is looking forward to attending college and exploring the next steps in his academic career. Jarell Skinner-Roy is a senior at Memorial High School where he has taken Advanced Placement classes and has been a member of the National French Honor Society. Jarell has also been a National Achievement Scholarship Semifinalist in 11th and 12th grade. Jarell has worked with Cub Scout Pack 39, the Millennium Soccer Club, the Monona Grove Swim Team and the American Italian Organization. Jarell and his teammates were the Division 1 Boys High School State Soccer Champions for 2007. Jarell intends to major in Business and French and eventually attend law school. Tosha Songolo is a Memorial High School Senior, AP Scholar and High Honor Roll student. Her awards include the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, the Breakfast Optimist Club Outstanding Young Person Award and the Paul D. Barrows Academic Award of Excellence. Tosha has been active in forensics competitions and received a Piano Musical Accomplishment Award. Last summer, she worked as a research intern in the UW Hospital Department of Neurological Surgery. Tosha has participated in fund-raisers, SPIRIT Day and Homecoming activities and as a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. Tosha will eventually study medicine and plans to become a pediatrician. Souleevanh Thao will graduate from East High School where she has been on the honor roll, a member of the Beta Club and has received three trophy awards for her academic achievements. Souleevanh has served her high school community by doing fundraising and helping people with special needs through the United Asian Club, HOSA, Others First Club and the Japanese Club. Souleevanh has completed her training as a Certified Nursing Assistant and plans to major in nursing in college with the goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. Cydny Black will graduate from Memorial High School. Cydney plans on attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison this summer. She is the editor of the Simpson Street Free Press. She was a guest columnist with the Wisconsin State Journal. She participated in the UW PEOPLE Program. She also participated in cross country, volleyball, and track and field. Cydny volunteered for the Rotary Scholarship Selection Committee. |
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| Women in Focus Scholarship Reception Fulfilling dreams By Jonathan Gramling |
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