Mid Hudson Ivy Foundation Scholarship Recipients

POUGHKEEPSIE – As another school year ended, the Mid Hudson Ivy Foundation in collaboration with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Iota Alpha Omega Chapter are proud to announce the 2022 scholarship recipients. Every year Mrs.Sherre Wesley (President of the foundation), Ms. Kim Jarratt (President of the chapter), Mrs. Joy Rene’ Young (Scholarship Chairwomen) and the other members of the scholarship committee are always amazed at the accomplishments of all the applicants. The students are so well rounded. Many are involved in sports, playing instruments, volunteering in their communities, founders of clubs, holding down jobs, experiencing life’s ups and downs and still receive phenomenal grades. After meeting the students for interviews, you just know that many of them will do great things in the future.

The Chapter has been in existence for over fifty years. They have helped 145 students through scholarships. The Mid Hudson Ivy Foundation Inc. has been able to award over $130,000 in collegiate scholarships to high school seniors in the Mid Hudson Valley area. The Foundation and Chapter serves Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties. The committee works hard to reach out to the guidance counselors at each school in the areas they serve. The committee is always happy to see applications from each county. Some guidance counselors go above and beyond to help them connect with students. The chapter also has a program called College Admissions Process (#CAP). The program assists students in the 10th – 12th grades with information and skills needed to prepare for college. The chapter also reaches out to the high school guidance counselors to share their applications for that program. The guidance counselors play a huge role in helping. One exceptional counselor is Pamela Bonsu at Newburgh Free Academy in Newburgh. She really puts her heart into finding students who can benefit from what the sorority and foundation has to offer. She has been a blessing in disguise.

This year’s recipients are Erika Huston (Betty E. White Scholarship) from John Jay High School attending Dartmouth College; Kara Abiodun (Karen Faulding-Sorlie Book Award) from Middletown High School attending George Washington University; Solei’ Mirvil (HBCU) from Roy C. Ketcham High School attending Howard University; Barak Tucker (Book Award) from Oakwood Friends School attending Swarthmore College; Shirley Smit (Book Award) from John Jay High School attending; Dillon Kelly (Book Award) from Beacon High School attending SUNY Oneonta; Adriana Bilenky (Book Award) from John Jay High School attending Barnard College.

Also on the Scholarship Committee were Celestine Campbell, Karmen Smallwood, Lorna Woodside and Vonora Lewis. The committee would like to wish all the recipients best regards in the years to come.