Fulton NAACP hands out record number of scholarships

One of the main goals of the Fulton branch of the NAACP and its companion organization, Youth Life Improvement, is to encourage young black Callawegians to better themselves through continued education.

The organizations' recent Scholarship and Incentive Awards Program is proof that they are meeting that goal. According to Fulton Branch NAACP President Jack McBride, a record 10 scholarships - totaling $4,100 - were awarded on Aug. 14. He said the NAACP usually gives out five scholarships each year, while fellow Education Committee member Anna Braxton said the average has been eight.

"We want every student to continue their post-high school education or training and not drop out of school," McBride said of the organization's goal for the scholarship program.

Braxton said this past year's success most likely can be attributed to persistent effort on the part of its members.

"We really were adamant about getting our students to be active, to really monitor them and be with them to help them," Braxton said. "(The students) also were really determined that they wanted to go."

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.