This coming March 22 at least one lucky student will be the recipient of the newly formed J.D. Taylor Scholarship Fund.

Bobby Paige, chairman of the fund, explained that aspiring students will need to have a grade point average of at least 2.5 in addition to a positive attitude in their school and community.

The idea for a scholarship with Taylor’s name grew from a ceremony that occurred this past March. The ceremony was organized by a group who had been under the eye of Taylor when they were children, and now wanted to give something back to the community, said Paige.

Taylor was instrumental in youth sports activities in the 1960’s and 70’s, Paige said. For 52 years he was a supervisor for seven playgrounds in the area, and in the 1950’s a field in east Selma was named in his honor.

This is one of the fields that Paige plans to use in next year’s ceremony. The goal is to have at least two baseball fields with both a game for 9 and 10 year olds and one for adults happening at the same time as the ceremony.

Also, Paige wants to have the street blocked off and conduct the ceremony in the road.

In addition to awarding the scholarships, Paige also said that two individuals,

Elton Reese and Ernest Bennet, will be presented plaques for their contribution to the community.

Reese is the ex-coach and former assistant principal of Selma High School, Paige noted, and will receive a plaque in appreciation for everything he has done for youth in the community.

Bennet’s family will receive a plaque for his work with the YMCA. He passed on in 1982.

Students from Southside High, Selma High School, Keith High and Dallas County High are eligible for the scholarship, Paige said.

Application forms have not yet been sent to the schools, but guidance counselors will be looking for interested students.