(March 9, 2023) — Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, or ASPSF, congratulates the Spring 2023 scholarship recipients from the counties of Clay, Craighead, Greene, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, and Randolph in Northeast Arkansas.
Thanks to the support of local donors and state funding, ASPSF awarded scholarships to 64 single parents pursuing associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and skilled-trade certificates. The single parents were honored at two awards ceremonies hosted at Word Baptist Church in Jonesboro on February 18 and Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville on February 21.
Local volunteers Audrey Lee and Dr. Paula Rose-Greer were accompanied by several members of the Jonesboro Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, to assist with the event in Jonesboro. Volunteer Denese Bogard helped at the Blytheville awards ceremony.
A special thanks to Word Baptist Church and Arkansas Northeastern College for hosting the events as well as Pastor Jamar Andrews for his assistance at the Jonesboro ceremony.
The following students received a single parent scholarship:
Craighead County: Alese Roberson, Alyssa Weyland, Amber Fletcher, Brandi Lee, Candace Gant, Cartiera B., Cassandra S., Chuck Kirkindall, Courtney Swindle, Cyann A., Destiny T., Dymon D., Erin L., Hannah D., Hannah M., Heather F., Jakayla Williams, Jasmine Jones, Jennifer Harris, Jessica W., Kallen Howard, Kara Moore, Katherine Pryor, Kayla Moore, Laura Bean, Lydia Wolfe, Mallari N., Micah Fisher, Raven P., Reyna Aza-Salinas, Riley Williams, Sarah Taylor, Sherlisa McKay, Shunwalisa Hawkins, Tamyia W., Teresa Miller, Terrell Ford, and Tiffany Wilson.
Mississippi County: Andrea E., Ariel Harvell, Ashlie Murphy, China McChristian, Iesha Chappelle, Kendra P., Marcy Mays, Misty Adams, Nakia Webb, Octavia M., Raven Chew, Rokimsya Blanchard, and Veronica C.
Greene County: Alyssa Henson, Dashawna Mason, Edna Johnson, Kassie A., Kuiana Wells, and Brooke Lenderman.
Poinsett County: Harden Daniels, Jennifer Tyler, Kanisha L., Natalie Traynom, and Taryn M.
Lawrence County: Sequoia I.
Randolph County: Danielle Parker
ASPSF’s flexible scholarship of up to $1,200 helps low-income single parents pay for the biggest financial obstacles to obtaining a degree leading to a career with family-supporting wages. The monetary aid is paired with mentoring, financial instruction, and career coaching — the soft skill training that transforms students into sought-after employees.
A Craighead County recipient recently used the knowledge gained from ASPSF-sponsored workshops in purchasing her first home.
"The ASPSF program really gave me the boost I needed to not just go back to school but to also get my life in order," said Katherine Pryor. "From the home buying and credit repair workshop to the scholarship awards I've been given, the ASPSF helped my family in so many ways and will always have this lasting impact on my family as part of the reason I was able to do this ... and start building generational wealth for my kids. ... [ASPSF] makes such an impact in so many lives, not just the students directly awarded the scholarships."
Last year, the ASPSF Northeast Region awarded nearly $153,900 in scholarships to 99 single parents, who showed their children that higher education is within reach. This investment not only strengthens communities with viable economic impact but also emboldens entire families to imagine a brighter future.
For more information about Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund — which has awarded more than $35 million in scholarships across the state to single parents since 1990 — contact ASPSF Program Manager Carrie Allen at callen@aspsf.org or 870-345-4681.
About Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund: For more than 30 years, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund has worked to create stronger, more educated, and more self-sufficient families. Through scholarships and services, ASPSF opens doors for low-income single parents, helping them pursue education, secure employment, and transform the future for their families. With the help of volunteers and community support, ASPSF creates multi generational change, transforming lives for both single parents and their children. For information about scholarships, volunteer opportunities, and ways to give, visit www.aspsf.org.