2003 Scholarship Winners

1. 2003 Scholarship Winners

2. Alice Esslinger

3. Alice Esslinger Huntsville“ Education will empower me with confidence ... and encourage me to envision the progress that can be made in promoting peace in the world.” Allie received an AAHRA Scholarship in 2002, and with it enrolled in the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She is majoring in International Relations, and has career goals in the diplomatic field. She is active in the Blount Undergraduate Initiative, the University Honors Program, the International Honors Program, and assistant director for Alabama Action. She helps lead softball clinics, is a mentor, and is a member of the Model UN, HPSA, LSA, Presbyterian Student Association, and the National Collegiate Scholarship Committee — among other activities and organizations. Her current GPA is 3.7, she earned a 30 on the ACT, and a 1310 on the SAT. Allie is the daughter of Debbie Esslinger, the Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator for the Huntsville HousingAuthority.

4. Destin Lindsey Flippo

5. Destin Lindsey Flippo Guin“ I believe through hard work and determination, I can achieve my goal.” Destin will attend the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and plans to major in Biology. Her goal is to one day become an orthodontist and open a clinic in her home town of Guin. Destin graduated from Marion County High School with a 3.9 GPA, and earned a 22 on the ACT. She’s earned the Presidential Academic Award, Outstanding Academic Award, and a member of the National Honor Roll, National Beta Club, Talent Search, and Who’s Who Among American High School Students. She served on the yearbook staff, and was very active in her community helping raise money for the American Cancer Society, The Muscular Dystrophy Foundation and Santa’s Workshop. Destin also worked part-time at a real estate office after school. Destin is the daughter of Tammy Bozeman, resident of the Guin Housing Authority.

6. Neamon LaShun Rudolph

7. Neamon LaShun Rudolph Montgomery“ Having to raise my children without a college degree ... helped me to realize that education is a key success factor in attaining my goals.” Neamon, the mother of three, is currently enrolled in the Adult Education Program at Faulkner University in Montgomery, majoring in Criminal Justice. Her goal is to become a lawyer, and perhaps to one day serve on the Alabama Supreme Court. She also wants very much to position herself to give back to her community by providing youth activities and scholarship programs so that others who’ve faced difficulties will be able to work toward their goals just as she is doing. Neamon is a parent volunteer for Girl Scouts, an adult advisor on the First Baptist Church Youth Advisory Committee, vice-president of the Young Adult Choir, and received an honor as ‘Parent of the Month’ from McKee Elementary School. She is an active participant in the Montgomery Housing Authority’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program, and is currently employed at Auburn University-Montgomery.

8. Sharon Denise Keener

9. Sharon Denise Keener Tarrant“ All of the hard work ... is worth it when compared to the possibilities that will be available to me.” Sharon plans to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia. Her goal is to become a professional computer animator. Sharon graduated as Salutatorian of Tarrant High School with a 4.0 GPA, earned a 30 on the ACT, and a 1330 on the SAT. She served as the vice-president of the SchoolImprovement Club, member of the National Honor Society, Art Club and Photography Club - among other clubs and activities. She received academic honors including the Principle’s List, ‘A’ Honor Roll, and Awards for Excellence in History and Art. Sharon is the daughter of Mary Keener, resident of the Tarrant Housing Authority, and Louie R. Keener of Destin, Florida. Her brother, Kenneth Keener, serves in the U.S. Navy.

10. Sonia Audrey Nkashama

11. Sonia Audrey Nkashama Birmingham“ The world has many problems, but I hope to help solve at least one of them.” Sonia has been accepted to Emory University in Atlanta, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Rhodes College in Memphis, and Washington University in St. Louis! She has chosen Rhodes College to begin her college career majoring in Biochemistry, with the goal of obtaining her Doctorate in the area of Neurological Science. Whichever profession she chooses, she hopes to help people with mental diseases or disorders, such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s or Epilepsy. Sonia graduated in the top 5 from Vestavia Hills High School with a 4.5 GPA, earned a 33 on the ACT, and a 1520 on the SAT. She was a member of the Math Team, Choir, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere) Club, Track Team, National Honor Society, and president of the French Honor Society. She teaches Sunday school, is a French and math tutor, and a volunteer for the Sandlot Sports Center. Sonia is the daughter of Mukala and Mubenga Nkashama. Mukala is an accountant for the Birmingham District Housing Authority.

12. Tina Strozier

13. Tina Strozier Daleville“Seeing the spark in their eyes was enough to make me realize that I could teach them music - even if they could not hear it, they could feel it.” Tina is currently enrolled at the University of Montevallo, double-majoring in Deaf Education and Music Education. She was inspired to teach music to the hearing impaired after participating in “Deaf Awareness Day’ in the 6th grade, and volunteering with the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind in Dothan. She currently has a 3.8 GPA and earned a 25 on the ACT. She is active as an SGA officer, Director of Social Services, a Links-Up Mentor, YMCA Collegiate Legislator, and business manager for the yearbook staff. She will become its Editor in the Fall. Tina graduated from Daleville High School in 2001. She is the daughter of Annie Strozier, resident of the Daleville Housing Authority