Women In Focus, Inc. recognized 12 high school students and two continuing students with 2018 “I Have a Dream” scholarships on Thursday, April 26 at the Goodman Community Center on Madison’s east side as the organization continues to work to help close the racial achievement gap in Madison.
Women In Focus, Inc. is a local non-profit dedicated to supporting the education of students of color. Each year, Women In Focus, Inc. (WIF) awards scholarships to deserving college-bound students who have been selected by the WIF Scholarship Review Committee. Proceeds from the organization’s annual “I Have a Dream” Scholarship Banquet and Ball, as well as contributions from supporters, are used in funding the awards.
“It was very exciting for us to honor these 12 high school students and two continuing students at the Goodman Community Center. Every year, I am amazed at the obstacles and challenges so many of our students of color face, and still they rise,” Edith Hilliard, vice president of Women in Focus Inc. and a longtime member, tells Madison365. “It gives me a great deal of joy when I see and hear their stories knowing they will be able to continue their education at the next level. As a 35 year member of WIF, I am humbled to see that we have been able to contribute a half-million dollars to 317 students over the years.
“I would like to extend an invitation to the great community to the 2019 ‘I Have a Dream Scholarship Ball’ at the Monona Terrace on Saturday, January 13, 2019,” Hilliard adds. “You, too, can be part of the legacy of creating a community in which dreams are fulfilled through a worldwide partnership where all barriers to education are erased for students of color.”
Women in Focus Inc.’s annual “I Have A Dream” Scholarship Ball raises funds for these scholarships every January.
This year’s “I Have a Dream” Scholarships were awarded to Eric Armenta and Mailor Lor of Madison West High School; Jackie Barrera-Gonzalez, Jhanae Harris, and Nathan Seward of Madison La Follette High School; Nyagoah Biel, Tiana Brown, Akil Cooper, Thuy-Trang Le, and Tenzin Woeser of East High School; Mariana Gandolfo Bustamante of Verona Area High School; and Fatoumatta Kolley of Sun Prairie High School.
The guest speaker for the event was Lynn Brown, a Women in Focus second generation member and an “I Have a Dream” Scholarship alumni.
Shaquida Johnson of Upper Iowa University was honored with the Miss Annie Mae Scholarship. In 2007 Women in Focus, Inc. first awarded the Miss Annie Mae McClain Scholarship, funded with the proceeds of an auction of 77 wonderful hats owned by Miss Annie Mae McClain during her lifetime. The hats were generously donated to WIF by Miss Annie Mae’s son, Joe McClain, and his wife, former WIF member Carol Lobes.
Also at the event, Ousman Darboe of Madison College was honored with the Janet & Alfonso Studesville Scholarship. Darboe fled Gambia for the safety of the United States and will be able to go on and complete his bachelor’s degree and continue to work for human rights with the help of this scholarship which was started in the name of founding Women in Focus member Jan Studesville and her husband, Alfonso, who tragically died in a motorcycle accident five years ago.
“With the proceeds from the 32nd Annual “I Have a Dream” Ball, Women in Focus was very proud to award $35,000 in scholarships to these 14 students of color from Dane County,” Sally Hestad, president of Women in Focus, tells Madison365. “These students are so inspiring and have each overcome many daunting challenges. Now their futures are bright as they embark on their post-high school studies. Education is the key to better lives for the students and, going forward, our educated awardees will make a difference for our community, our country and our world. We are proud of what these scholars have accomplished and know that they will continue to learn and grow.”
