Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Holds “MEET THE SCHOLARS” Luncheon
Manatee County – Recently 12 African American graduating high school students from Manatee and Sarasota counties were recognized by the Bradenton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. during the Meet the Scholars Luncheon held at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Sarasota. Scholarships totaling $13,000 were presented, ranging from $1000.00 to $1,500.00 per graduate.
Bradenton Alumnae is the proud administrators of three named scholarships sponsored by families of honorable residents, namely: The Turner and Lillie Covington Memorial Scholarship (recipients were Jared Francois, Palmetto High School and Lyric Willis, North Port High School); The Leola Rhodes Chestnut Scholarship (recipient was Gianna Glover, Booker High School) and The Miller Anderson Community Scholarship (recipient was Ebonie Bornelus, Riverview High School.)
Other recipients of the Bradenton Alumnae Chapter Scholarship were: Manatee County: Jontayvia Howard and Mellise Bush, Southeast High School; Stellie Maxis, Brianna Clark and Jayla Lovett, Palmetto High School. Sarasota County: Jazlyn Mathis and Abigail Kinsey, Booker High School; Zoey Anna Anderson, North Port High School.
The event theme was “Celebrating Our Scholars: Soaring to New Heights.” The keynote speaker for the luncheon was Brea Parris, a graduate of Southeast High School, and Florida A & M University. Parris, a native of Tallevast, currently serves as Vice President of Project Management and Implementation at Lightshare Behavioral Wellness and Recovery in Sarasota and is a Spring 2026 initiate of Bradenton Alumnae Chapter.
As a graduate of both Delta Academy and Delta GEMS mentoring programs, serving as president of both respectively, Brea provided enlightening suggestions to students as they begin the next chapter of their academic careers.
The musical tribute was “Optimistic” by Sounds of Blackness performed by the Carter G. Woodson Academy, emphasizing the importance of “keeping their head to the sky” as they soar to new heights.
Kimberly Albritton, Chapter President, gave closing remarks and challenged the students to pursue the highest educational level possible.
The Bradenton Alumnae Chapter was chartered in 1978 and has since provided over $350,000 in scholarships and book awards to African American high school students in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
For more information about the Bradenton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. please visit: bradentondst.org.
