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Saturday, April 25, would have been Alpha Phi Alapha’s 10th Annual John D. Taylor Scholarship Banquet.
Held each year at Wallace Community College – Selma (WCCS), the fraternity organization uses the occasion to celebrate higher education amongst area students and award scholarships.
Last year, Alpha Phi Alapha awarded over $12,000 in scholarships, the most in the event’s 10-year history, and despite no banquet this year, the organization hopes to award as much – or more – than last year.
While circumstances forced Alpha Phi Alpha had to cancel the banquent, Alpha Phi Alpha President Billy Young said there are plans to do hold the banquet before the end of the year, if possible.
“This was going to be big,” said Young.
According to Young the banquet would also be a 200th anniversary of the City of Selma.
In order to accomadate students during the era of social distancing, Young says the organization will now allow scholarship applications to be submitted via email to Chairman of the Alpha Phi Alpha Scholarship Committee, Donovan McGuire, at dmcguir3@gmail.com.
Young said contributions are also being sought to fund scholarships and contributions can be made by seeing any Alpha Phi Alpha member, or by sending a check to 1600 Broad St. 367703.
Despite the ongoing pandemic, Young said Alpha Phi Alpha is commited to ensuring students receive the opportunity to recive a higher education.
“COVID-19 does not stop the need for students to finance their higher education,” said Young. “We want to do anything we can to ensure all students are not limited or restricted in their pursuit of higher education.”
According to Young, education has always been importnt to Alpha Phi Alpha.
“Alpha Phi Alpha was founded on the principle of academic excellence and scholarship,” he said. “We are about ensuring the public has the opportunity to receive a higher education.”