The Chateau Banquet Hall held a morning celebration for high school students in the Region on Wednesday, May 15. The Urban League of Northwest Indiana hosted the annual Scholastic Luncheon to recognize exemplary students in local counties.
Dr. Vanessa Allen-McCloud, President and CEO of the Urban League of Northwest Indiana, describes the purpose of this annual luncheon.
“The Scholastic Luncheon has been held for about a dozen years now,” Allen-McCloud said. “It’s an acknowledgment to the high school graduating seniors in Lake, Porter, and LaPorte County. Once they completed the applications for these scholarships, they were reviewed and the winners were selected. We’re presenting more than 30 scholarships this year.”
Many students in Northwest Indiana have continuously honed in on working hard in the classroom to put themselves in a position to be recognized. Dr. McCloud appreciates that these scholarships are going to students who have earned them and will continue to do great things in the future of their educational journeys.
“We know that college is expensive,” Allen-McCloud said. “Every dollar helps when people are going to take that step. The scholarship process has continued to grow over the years. It has impacted them because they’re able to purchase some items that they need prior to even going to college.”
Crystal Melton, First Lady of the City of Gary, had the honor to present scholarships to some of the students at the event. She has been impressed with the students and their commitment to education.
“Today marks a celebration of hard work, determination, and the pursuit of excellence,” Melton said. “These students have pushed the boundaries of their potential and overcome obstacles along the way. It stands as a testament to their resilience and the possibilities that lie before the students are endless.”
Bryce Carter, a junior at Indiana University Bloomington, provided words of encouragement for the students at the event as well.
“It’s important to believe in yourself first and foremost,” Carter said. “Having trust in your abilities and never underestimating what you’re capable of achieving is a big part of it. Every student should embrace opportunities with an open mind and a willingness to learn. College is a time for exploration to grow both academically and physically.”
One student honored at the event that is hoping to see this growth is Jamari Darden, who plans to attend Ivy Tech in his pursuit of becoming a Health Care Specialist. He describes what this luncheon celebration means for him and the other students in attendance.
“I’m appreciative of this opportunity,” Darden said. “It’s important because we’ve put in the work to be here and it’s going to help all of us in the long run. Some students may not have the money, so these scholarships help us get to where we want to be and put our best foot forward.”
Dr. McCloud was pleased to see all the happy faces of students, donors, and family members in attendance. She’s thankful to The Chateau Banquet Hall for their assistance with this event and for another successful year. As well as NIPSCO for supporting them with resources for the event.
Post-secondary vendors were invited to the luncheon and had the opportunity to speak with students and their family members. This includes schools such as Indiana University, Purdue Northwest, Valparaiso, Ivy Tech Community College, and Calumet College of St. Joseph.
For more information on the Urban League of Northwest Indiana, you can visit their website.
