AAHC awards five scholarships to local high school seniors

Published May 23, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Heather Heiney
81st Training Wing Public Affaris

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Keesler African-American Heritage Committee presented five local students $1,000 Col. (Ret) Lawrence Roberts scholarships. To be eligible students must be graduating seniors in the class of 2012 from Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Stone, George or Pearl River counties. Students were also required to submit high school transcripts, ATC and SAT scores, federal income tax returns and a 700-1,000 page essay on the theme, "Black women in American culture and history."

Winners include:

Alayna Acosta, daughter of Barbara and retired Army Sgt 1st Class Daniel Acosta. She attends Harrison Central High School and plans to major in fine arts and the University of North Carolina School of Arts. Alayna hopes to become a professional ballet dancer and eventually teach later in life.

Taylor Doyle, 17, daughter of Donald and Katherine Doyle. She attends St. Patrick High School and plans to major in architectural engineering at the University of Southern Mississippi. Taylor hopes to pursue a career in architecture.

Alexis Higgins, daughter of Sandra and Kurt Higgins, 81st Training Group. She attends Biloxi High School and plans to major in fashion buying and merchandising at the University of Southern Mississippi. Alexis hopes to become a fashion buyer for a major department store and eventually start her own clothing line.

Jazmyn Maloid, 17, daughter of Andrea and Master Sgt. Donald R. Maloid Jr., 403rd Wing. She attends Gulfport High School and plans to major in chemistry at Spelman College in Atlanta. Jazmyn hopes to be a pharmacist or a pharmaceutical researcher in the future.

Laura Munro, daughter or Sonny and Donna Munro. She attends Biloxi High School and plans to go on to the University of Southern Mississippi. Laura is interested in becoming a veterinarian or a pharmaceutical representative.

For more information about the scholarships or the African-American Heritage Committee call (228) 377-5250.

Local high school students win AAHC scholarships