GFS awards nine scholarships to WSLA Class of 2023 graduating senior and previous WSLA GFS winners
Every year since 2020, the Guthrie Family Scholarship Fund has awarded $2,000 scholarships to Gary West Side Leadership Academy seniors and alumni who demonstrate academic excellence, community service and leadership. On Wednesday, May 10th we awarded nine scholarships, including four to graduating seniors and five to previous GFS Scholars who continue to demonstrate the ability and desire to excel.
The awardees are:
Class of 2023
Jerrina Benard
Kentucky State
Milton Green
IUPUI
Lamiya Newell
IU Bloomington
Kaniya Upshaw
Southern University
Class of 2022:
MaKayla Riley
Purdue Calumet
Lyric Williams
Marian University
Class of 2021:
DeMarion Newell
Franklin College
Damari Rozier
IU Northwest
Class of 2020:
Kennedy Rozier
IU Northwest
From L to R: Damari Rozier ’21, parent of DeMarion Newell ’21, Kennedy Rozier ’20, GFS Board Member Joseph Guthrie ’74, Kaniya Upshaw ’23, Lyric Williams ’22, MaKayla Riley ’22, Lamiya Newell ’23, UL President Vanessa McCloud, Milton Green, ’23, and Jerrina Benard ’23.
In addition to financial support, we also offer mentorship to the Scholars. The Guthrie Family Collective, comprised of the five children of Mary and Willie Guthrie and their 12 accomplished grandchildren, stands ready to provide counsel, insights and referrals. In addition, we enlist the support from other local community resources who share the sense of obligation to give back and pay forward to the next generation of leaders in our community.
On June 10th, the Guthrie Family Collective will host our annual gathering of the GFS Scholars and their families at an expansive luxury suite at the Gary Railcats Steel Yard to enjoy food, fellowship and fun at the ballpark. We will also invite several folks from the Gary community to mingle and connect with the young Scholars. The doors open at 3pm, we will do introductions at 3:30 and the game starts at 4 pm. Evites have been sent out. Please RSVP with the names of all folks planning to attend.
We are guaranteeing a great time for all!