2012 Smith Scholars

For the past four years the Jobs for America’s Graduates Board of Directors and Friends of JAG have offered the Smith Scholarships to students from the JAG network. In 2012 the scholarship program saw double the applicants compared to 2011. There were 112 seniors in high school that submitted their applications to be considered for one of twelve $1,000 scholarships. The nominees chosen by the scholarship committee represented ten of the JAG programs from around the nation. The committee was very pleased with the submissions and felt the quality of applicants was exceptional.

The members of the JAG Scholars and Governance Committees found it challenging when reviewing the applications for the 2012 Smith Scholars, to narrow the 112 applicants to the 12 scholars who were awarded scholarships.  The recommendation was put forth that in 2013 the Board seek additional funding to increase the number of scholarships. The hope is of course, that 100 percent of the state affiliates will have submissions and nominees for next year's scholarship program. 

Below is a ‘snapshot’ of the 2012 nominees:

• The 2012 applicants were requested to share the number of community service hours documented in the 2011-2012 school year.  The hours ranged from a low of no documented hours to a high of 1,621 hours.

• Applicants’ GPA ranged from a low of 1.5 to a high of a 4.0 GPA.

• The percentage of female applicants was 67 percent; male applicants were 33 percent.

• 86 percentof applicants were accepted to a postsecondary institution; 14 percent of the applicants had not been accepted as of the submission date of the applicant packet.

• 63 percentof the 112 applicants are planning to attend a 4-year college or university; 30 percent are planning to attend a 2-year community college; 3percent are planning to attend a trade school; and 6 percent have not made a decision on their postsecondary destination.

• The career goals of all applicants included:

– Health Professions 42       

– Teaching Professions 15

– Business Professions 6

– Unknown 6

– Veterinarian 5

– Graphics 5

– Law Professions 4

– Social Work  3

Other Career Goals:  Aviation, Architecture, Counseling, Culinary Arts, Event Management, Communications, Cosmetology, Forestry, Game Warden, Hospitality, Journalism, Librarian, Merchandising, Psychology, Politics, Real Estate, Sports Management,  and Security, Secondary Education and Entrepreneur.

Congratulations to the 2012 Smith Scholarship Awardees!

Name	City	State	GPA	College	Career
Brenda Angelethy	Port Gibson	Mississippi	4.0	Mississippi State U.	Teacher
Orleana Bland	Seaford	Delaware	3.8	Delaware State U.	Accounting
Damyyan Eafford	Cleveland	Ohio	3.7	Cleveland State U.	Postsec. Ed.
De’Harshylln Gilbert	Winnfield	Louisiana	2.4	Nashville Auto Diesel	Diesel Mech.
Jacob Hughes	Summerville	Georgia	3.7	Jacksonville State U.	Teacher
Christye James	Indianola	Mississippi	3.8	Alcorn State U.	Nursing
Tre’Quan Martin	Milwaukee	Wisconsin	3.4	Nicolet Area Tech C.	Teacher
McKenzie Ropp	Roberts	Montana	3.7	Montana State U.	Radiology
Sophia Schumauderer	East Machias	Maine	3.7	U. of Maine-Machias	Counseling
Lacey Turbyfill	Roan Mountain	Tennessee	3.9	Milligan College	Teacher
Maria Vega	Aberdeen	Washington	3.6	Grays Harbor CC	Nursing
Perry Washington Jr.	Gentry	Mississippi	3.4	Morehouse College	Attorney

The $1,000 scholarship checks are in the hands of the Smith Scholars and Governor Jack Markell, Chair of the JAG Board of Directors, sent letters of congratulations to the 2012 Smith Scholars. Governor Markell also sent letters of appreciation to the remaining scholarship applicants to acknowledge the quality of their applications. The JAG organization wishes all of the participants in the 2012 Smith Scholars program success in their future endeavors, including postsecondary education and career advancement.