The Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Society awarded $18,000 in scholarships to nine Tulsa-area students enrolled in post-secondary educational institutions for the 2022-23 academic year.
“The quality of this year’s applicants was truly outstanding,” said Pleas Thompson, president of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Society. “Originally, we had planned to award seven scholarships, but our Board was so impressed with these nominees, they elected to expand the number of winners in a couple of categories. All MLK Scholarship winners are not only academic scholars, but they are leaders and volunteers in their respective schools and communities. They are truly the manifestation of Dr. King’s legacy and will go on to do many great things.”
Nine scholarships were awarded as follows:
- $3,500 – Servant Leader (two winners):
- Keirsten Metcalf, a graduate of Union High School, attending the University of Oklahoma in the fall, with plans to become a nurse. She has participated for many years in Tulsa’s MLK Parade. In May, she graduated with both her high school diploma and an associate degree from Tulsa Community College as part of the EDGE (Earn a Degree, Graduate Early) program; and
- Reeya Ramasamy, a valedictorian at Union High School, plans to attend Purdue University in W. Lafayette, Indiana, studying cybersecurity. Reeya is also a National Merit Finalist, plays on the Union Tennis team and is a student representative on the Board of Directors for the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance.
- $2,500 – Change Maker (two winners):
- Kaiden Ivey, Union High School, attending Jackson State University (Jackson, Miss.), majoring in Business Administration/Entrepreneurship. She is also an EDGE graduate, having earned her associate degree at TCC concurrently while in high school. In 2020, Kaiden was the third-place winner of the MLK Oratorical Contest and a first-place winner in the Dance of Peace Contest; and
- Marina Katoh, Booker T. Washington High School, who will study computer science at The University of Tulsa. She is a National Merit Commended Scholar and an AP Scholar with Honor and has been a junior ambassador with the Eastern Food Bank of Oklahoma for three years.
- $1,500 – Mountain of Hope: Ankit Jallipalli, Union High School, attending the University of Oklahoma, majoring in computer science. He was also a valedictorian, served as captain of the Speech/Debate Team, played junior varsity tennis and runs 10 miles every day.
- $1,500 – Drum Major of Justice: Ryan J. Anderson, Booker T. Washington High School, attending Dillard University (New Orleans), majoring in Biology/Pre-Med in preparation to become an anesthesiologist. He was captain of both the varsity football and basketball teams, has participated in the Tulsa MLK Parade and has been an active volunteer.
- $1,000 – Mountain of Hope (three winners):
- LeQuincia Brown, Booker T. Washington High School, attending Oklahoma City University, majoring in Music Education. She has played three years with the Tulsa Youth Symphony, two years as principal (first chair) cellist and is co-principal cellist in the Booker T. Washington High School Orchestra. LeQuincia has won several awards for community service and school spirit.
- Kaleb Alexander Quince, Jenks High School, with plans to attend the University of Georgia, majoring in political science. Kaleb is an AP Scholar with Honor and for the last four years has been a member of the Jenks Speech and Debate and lacrosse teams. He has volunteered for City Year and the Salvation Army and served as a page for Senator Kevin Matthews; and
- Isaiah Sells, Owasso High School, attending the University of Oklahoma with an interest in International Security. He has been a member of the Owasso High School wrestling team.
Applicants were evaluated and selected by an independent panel based on the following criteria:
- Academic Achievement: based on the student’s official transcript and grade point average;
- Leadership & Accomplishments: participation in extracurricular activities, honors and awards;
- Work/Volunteer experience;
- Community Involvement; and
- Essay (350-750 words) related to the student’s perceptions of Dr. King’s legacy.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Society, Inc. is a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization focused on honoring and preserving the works and ideals that Dr. King practiced. The society has provided programming, leadership development, civic engagement and opportunities for artistic expression involving students in Tulsa County and the surrounding area since it was founded in 1978. Since its inception, the Society has awarded $120,000 in scholarships to local high school graduates aspiring to achieve Dr. King’s dream.
For more information, visit www.mlktulsa.com, call 918-492-9495 or email at [email protected].
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