Scholarships

The Story Behind the Scholarship:

The only charter member still active with the Southaven Rotary Club is creating a legacy with a scholarship Endowment that will keep improving his community for generations. “Rotary has been interested in the education of this community since the club was chartered in the 1960s,” Southaven developer Al Gilless said in explaining his charitable investment. “I really think it’s the key to the future.”

“I’m not a college graduate,” Gilless said, “but I’d like to help the kids who are working really hard to get theirs.” Gilless took advantage of the Community Foundation’s initiative to provide 25% matching funds for all of its scholarship Endowments above $50,000. “I was glad to partner with the Community Foundation,” Gilless said. “I feel like the Community Foundation is doing a good job.”

Scholarship Requirements & Information:

*Seniors in high school graduating from Southaven High School, Horn Lake High School, Northpoint Christian School, DeSoto Central High School, or Lake Cormorant High School are eligible to apply.

*Applicant must have: 2.75 minimum GPA & 20 minimum ACT Score.

*Scholarship Amount: $1,500 total dispersed in two semesters. $750 first semester, $750 second semester

*Application Deadline: April 18^th

* Application can be obtained from high school counselors at the designated school.

• Southaven Rotary Scholarship

The Story Behind the Scholarship:

In August 2013 Byron Keith Mallett Jr. started school like any other year. He was 13 years old. He attended Lake Cormorant Middle School. He loved his school. He was looked up to and was very popular. He was a Christian boy who loved the Lord and his family. He stood up for other students who were being picked on at school. He would help anyone that needed help. He was a good student with a good heart.

He loved Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and the Arkansas Razorbacks. He liked football and baseball. He liked watching Duck Dynasty, playing Wii, and Xbox. He liked going to Dollywood and riding all of the roller coasters. He really liked the Wild Eagle. He was also a talented hunter and fisherman for his age.

He wanted to attend Mississippi State to study engineering like his Great-Grandfather.

His life was cut short due to an accidental shooting August 22, 2013. He went to be with the Lord that day. He will always be in our hearts and minds, and he is greatly missed by his family and friends. The Byron Keith Mallett Jr. Scholarship Fund has been established to help a student from Lake Cormorant High School go to college and realize their dreams.

Scholarship Requirements & Information:

*Eligible applicants are Lake Cormorant (or DeSoto County) seniors.

*Applicants must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA.

*Scholarship amount is $1,000 total dispersed over two semesters. $500 for first semester & $500 for second semester.

*Application Deadline: March 31st

• Application

The scholarship fund is named to honor Callie Wood as a past board member of the Quitman County Development Organization (QCDO) and also as a former educator in the Quitman County School District. Upon her death she bequeathed funds to QCDO to start this scholarship fund. She is remembered as a community advocate for human rights and education. Qualified high school applications can obtain applications from the Madison Shannon Palmer High School Office of the Counselor or call 662.326.5191.

The Story Behind the Scholarship:

The scholarship fund was established in memory of long time West Tallahatchie Schools Superintendent Charles M. George.

Scholarship Requirements & Information:

*West Tallahatchie High School seniors are eligible to apply.

*Applicants must have a minimum 2.8 GPA.

*Scholarship award total is $1,000 dispersed over two semesters. $500 for first semester & $500 for second semester.

*Applications are available from school counselors. For more information, see the attached guidelines.

• Guidelines

The Story Behind the Scholarship:

The DeSoto County Prayer Council came together through a vision of two local ministers, Reverend Chester Berryhill, Jr. and Reverend Robert “Chip” Hatcher. Out of the Council came the DeSoto County Prayer Breakfast, an annual event allowing citizens to come together in prayer, focusing on the One who has blessed us and given us so much for which to be thankful, realizing that the gift of faith from God is the greatest gift a people can share. This event is a time of reflection and prayer for international, national, state and local concerns.

Each year at the annual DeSoto County Prayer Breakfast, youth from around the county are recognized and invited to be a part of this event. The Council feels that it is important that our youth participate as we remember the wisdom of the Apostle Paul,” Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”. (4:6,7).

To recognize an outstanding senior in DeSoto County, the DeSoto County Prayer Council established the DeSoto County Prayer Council Scholarship., now the Cindy Lipscomb Scholarship. The first scholarship was offered in Spring 2007 and continues to be open to all seniors in DeSoto County Schools each year (public, private and home-school). The following instructions within the application will guide you in your preparation of the application.

Scholarship Requirements & Information:

*Application open to all DeSoto County seniors (public, private, and homeschool).

*Total Scholarship Award amount is $1,000.

• Application

The Story Behind the Scholarship:

Claude and Edith Kirkpatrick were pillars of the community by being active members of their church, civic, the arts, and charitable organizations. They met at Louisiana College and were married for 58 years. Edith graduated as Valedictorian from Louisiana College with a degree in music, then went on to study at Juilliard School of Music in New York. She received a master’s degree in music from LSU in 1965. Over the years, she was a private voice teacher, a Baptist choir director, a music instructor at McNeese State University in Lake Charles and an assistant professor at LSU. She was named to the state Board of Trustees for Higher Education and, in 1977, to the newly created Board of Regents for Higher Education.

Claude Kirkpatrick also graduated from Louisiana College with a degree in history and was a successful businessman. Claude Kirkpatrick served two terms in the House of Representatives in Louisiana as well as the Director of Public Works. After he left the political arena, he served in leadership positions at the Baton Rouge General Hospital. He was a past chairman and member of the Louisiana College Board of Directors, and served on the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Board.

Scholarship Requirements & Information:

*This scholarship has been set up to recognize an outstanding high school senior in Desoto County who has an affinity for the arts, is active in their church, and has demonstrated a high quality of academic excellence.
*Scholarship Award amount total is $500.

*Applications must be postmarked or uploaded by April 1st.

• Application

Delta Center was the former historically African American school in operation from 1959 to 1970.

For eleven graduating classes and former students, Delta Center, despite its paucity, was a respite from weather conditions and “dreams deferred”. It was a haven of personal, spiritual and social uplift; an incubator of ambitious and hopeful dreams; a fortress against a world denying you humanity. Despite the political motives behind its erection, Delta Center became a veritable vortex of preparation and opportunity for the 1500 students whom it served annually. Regardless, at its start, being void of furnishings, library books, lab equipment and other basic expectations, AND being overcrowded throughout its existence – the school created lasting friendships and left indelible imprints upon those who attended, producing graduates whose contributions helped change the United States, and especially the South. All of this was due primarily to those who led and taught there.

Students, staff and families developed a deep pride in the school and its legacy. This initiated and now propels the Delta Center Reunion. The scholarship fund exists as one of the ways to further the mission of the Delta Center Alumni Reunion. That mission is to celebrate, elevate and extend the legacy of Delta Center School, its faculty, staff and students through a scholarship offering.

To donate to this fund, click here.

• Application
• Criteria

SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION CRITERIA /GUIDELINES

1. Applicant must be a descendant of an employee, Alumnus, or former student of Delta Center School

2. Must have at least a 2.75/4.00 GPA. OR ACT OF 21 OR BETTER

3. Preference will be given to high school seniors.

4. If no high school senior is chosen, consideration will be given to currently enrolled college student.

5. Previous approved applicants will be considered.

6. Applicants must complete a scholarship application, including a written essay on your educational choice listed on your application, must also submit a copy of their high school/college transcript

7. Two recommendations: one from school personnel, one from community leader

8. Apply for scholarship by published deadline: March 1

9. Candidates may be asked to participate in a personal interview.

10. Financial need is considered (a copy of student FAFSA may be requested)

11. Previous applicants and recipients may reapply each year.

12. Scholarship checks will be sent directly to college upon verification of enrollment. Scholarships are awarded in increments of $500 per semester, $1,000 total.

• Application

The Desoto County Business Women offer a scholarship each year to a female, non-traditional student at the University of Mississippi Desoto Center. The criteria are as follows:

• Desoto County resident
• Business major
• Female senior
• Non-traditional student

The recipient shall be required to attend one DCBW meeting at our expense.

Henry Lee Riley is a McAdams High School Class of 1977 and Coahoma Community College Class of 1979 graduate. He owned Henry Riley’s Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, where he served his community through repairing appliances. Affectionately known as Sipe, Henry was an avid fisherman and hunter.

Guidelines for this scholarship are listed on the application.

• Application

The Hope Scholarship was established in 2017 by an anonymous donor who wanted to make sure his investment helps outstanding Hernando High School graduates attend and graduate from college. 2018 is the first year that this scholarship has been awarded.

Established in 2008, this fund will provide scholarships to college-bound Hernando High School students. Members of the Hernando Lions Club have been granting an annual scholarship for many years. Now, through this new endowment, they will carry on this tradition for perpetuity.

*Applications can be obtained from the Hernando High School counselor.

• Lion Scholarship Application

• Lion's Club Scholarship Application Information

The Hernando Rotary Vaiden Scholarship was started by Katherine C. Vaiden in memory of her beloved husband, Leonard Vaiden, in 1967. As a show of appreciation for Leonard’s Rotary experience and what the club had meant to him, Katherine gave $50,000 to the Rotary Club to establish a scholarship fund in his name.

When the Rotary Club decided to invest the money to create a fund with the Community Foundation in 2005, the Community Foundation, along with the Maddox Foundation, agreed to a 25 percent match for it. Another $12,500 was used to create a “Hernando fund” to provide grants for city projects.

Recipients of the scholarship must be Hernando residents, either high-school seniors or prospective college students who have never applied for the scholarship before.

*Applications can be downloaded here or be obtained from the high school counselor

Kinloch Gill Jr. was a member of the Senatobia High Class of 1952. During his time at Senatobia High, he was involved in multiple extracurricular activities, including serving as president of his class, member of the football team and drum major of the band. He also was editor of the school newspaper. Following graduation, he attended the University of Mississippi and eventually earned his PhD in Psychology from Ole Miss. After several years as a professor at Ole Miss, Dr. Gill was named the founding executive director of the Region VI Mental Health Center in Greenwood. He was a leader in the provision of mental health services in the state of Mississippi for his entire career. Dr. Gill passed away in 1989, survived by his wife Ann, his daughter Eleanor and his son Kin.

The Kinloch Gill is for the Senatobia High Newspaper editor.

Young people of Second Baptist Church in Hernando, in particular, benefit from this endowment established by Dr. Robert and Shirley Seymour. Mattie Brassell became an employee of the Seymour family taking care of their home and child, but, according to the Bob Seymour, was much more than that…she was family. She loved her church and was always encouraging the youth in her church. The endowment in her name provides two college scholarships each year to youth from Mattie Brassell’s church. Qualified applicants can contact Ricky Robertson smooth_robertson@yahoo.com.

Noah was a Junior at Cypress Lake High School in Fort Myers, FL, and a defenceman on the Midget U-18AA team in the Florida Junior Everblades Hockey Program. Noah was a graduate of the Sanibel School, the Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, TN and the Hernando Middle School in Hernando, MS. Noah was active in youth hockey programs with both the Junior RiverKings and Junior StreetKings while at Hernando Middle School.

Noah loved hockey and skating. He also enjoyed skim boarding, surfing, fishing, hiking, shooting, white water rafting, parasailing, rock climbing, skydiving, and all things extreme and outdoors. Noah loved to travel, and he spent a great deal of time in Canada, Mexico and the southwestern United States.

The mission of Noah’s Gift is to inspire and reward deserving young people with the gift of an extraordinary experience that was of interest to 16-year-old Noah Costa at the time of his death. This fund is dedicated to bringing joy into the lives of young people, as Noah brought joy into the lives of so many.

Deadline: October 1st

• Noah Costa's Gift Grant

Norman and Donnis lost their 13-month old son, Nathan, suddenly on Easter Sunday in 2012 due to a previously unknown health problem. Both teachers at Clarksdale High School, they came to the Community Foundation to establish a permanent scholarship to help students at Coahoma Community College who are preparing to enter the healthcare field. Qualified applicants can obtain an application at the Office of the Counselor, Coahoma Community College.

The Club, chartered in 1987, established an endowment in 2013 which makes scholarships available to deserving high school seniors in the Hernando area. The application process to apply can be found at:

• Optimist Club of Hernando

The Rosa Lee Jennings Scholarship was established by residents of Wesley Meadows Retirement Community to honor the memory of beloved activity director, Rosa Lee Jennings. They conducted fundraisers and began an endowed fund at the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.

The scholarship is usually awarded to a high school senior who volunteers at Wesley Meadows.

*Applications can be obtained from Wesley Meadows Retirement Community

Established by a Memphis Clinical Pharmacist, Patrice Pritchett and her husband, Antonio, the RxReady Scholarship will be awarded on an annual basis to a Bolivar County senior who is entering the healthcare field. Please submit applications/essays to rxready@gmail.com.

• Scholarship Guidelines

Shapoor Alexander Ghane was a Navy SEAL and to honor his memory this scholarship fund was established to benefit the children of Navy SEAL members who died in action. Qualified applicants can contact the Community Foundation for more information.

A compassionate and committed nurse and Catholic Sister, Sr. Cora Lee Middleton, SSND, dedicated over 30 years to the Tutwiler Clinic, a rural health clinic located in Tutwiler, Mississippi, as Supervisor and Clinic Coordinator.

In addition to her valuable work at the clinic, Sr. Cora Lee was also a member of the founding Board of the Tutwiler Community Education Center (TCEC) in Tutwiler, MS.

Sr. Cora Lee Middleton Scholarship is to assist the recipient in the next step of their education. A strong believer in education Sr. Cora Lee Middleton believes in helping individuals advance opportunities in their life and in their career. This scholarship is established in her name to assist high school graduates of Tallahatchie or Coahoma County high schools in their next education step. It is her conviction that the world can be changed through the transformation of persons and that education can be a foundation for that transformation.

***Applications may be downloaded or are available through the Counselor’s office of the high school. ***

Click here for scholarship application. 

For selection criteria, click here.

To donate to this endowment fund or current giving fund, click here.

The Theron Long Memorial Scholarship was established by an anonymous donor to honor the legacy of Theron Long who passed away in May of 2017. Theron worked for DeSoto County Schools for 44 years as an educator, administrator, teacher, coach, and principal. He was inducted into the Mississippi Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004, winning 25 titles. He was also the State President of the Association of Secondary School Principals. The scholarship will be available to a qualified candidate who will attend a two our four-year college with plans to pursue a degree in education.

Must be a Hernando High School student to apply.

The Tunica Woman’s Club Betty Jo Dulaney Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship will be awarded to a young woman residing in Tunica County who embodies the spirit of volunteerism and exemplifies the core values of the Tunica Woman’s Club—dedication to service, advocacy for women, children, and families, commitment to global change, and the empowerment of women.

About the  Scholarship & Endowment Fund:

In 2024, Tunica Woman’s Club (TWC) took a bold step in preserving its legacy by using its reserve of funds secured from the sale of their historic building years prior to establish the TWC Betty Jo Dulaney Memorial Endowment Fund in honor of the late Betty Jo Dulaney—a trailblazing leader and passionate advocate for education and community service. Betty Jo Dulaney’s legacy of service stretched from Tunica County to the White House, where she was recognized for her contributions to literacy and public service. A former TWC President, Mississippi Federation of Women’s Clubs (MFWC) President (1982-1984), and General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) National Board Member, she embodied the theme “Unity in Diversity” and left an indelible mark on countless lives. The establishment of this endowment fund ensures that TWC’s longstanding support for young women in Tunica County will continue for generations, carrying on its proud tradition of providing educational scholarships and leadership development opportunities like Girls State and the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program (HOBY).

• Betty Jo Dulaney Memorial Scholarship Information

• Apply for the TWC Betty Jo Dulaney Memorial Scholarship

Dedicated in memory of a beloved friend, actor, director, teacher, and passionate supporter of the performing arts and Kudzu Playhouse. The award recognizes a student who understands the importance of providing a safe, welcoming, and encouraging environment where individuals can explore their artistic interests, and who has actively demonstrated a commitment to enriching and participating in programs that provide them.

Graduating high school seniors, current and rising college freshmen and sophomores (less than 50 semester hours at time of application).

DEADLINE: Annually on April 15