Heritage committee presents 2 scholarships Published Aug. 6, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Tanya Holditch Keesler News editor KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- Two Keesler members were awarded Col. Lawrence E. Roberts scholarships Friday. The African-American Heritage Committee awards the annual scholarships, which are open to all local high school seniors. Seven competitors submitted letters of recommendation, their grade point average and wrote an essay about "multiculturalism in the military." This year the AAHC worked with the Tuskegee Airmen Inc. Col. Lawrence E. Roberts Chapter to raise funds throughout the year for the $1,000 scholarships. Chosen were Amber Fields, daughter of Cynthia and Ephron Lee, 334th Training Squadron, and Shenique Russ, daughter of Master Sgt. Melvin and Sharon Thompson, 81st Medical Group. Both are Biloxi High School graduates. Ms. Fields graduated in the top half of her class and captain and named most valuable player of the girls' varsity basketball team. In 2008, she was inducted into the BHS Hall of Fame. She attends Meridian Community College this fall on a basketball scholarship where she studies pre-pharmacy. Ms. Russ attends the University of Southern Mississippi in the fall. Her major is business administration. Upon graduation, she said she'll pursue an Air Force commission as a hospital administrator. The scholarships can be used for tuition, fees, books or any other college-related expenses.