1 Local student hits the college scholarship jackpot j: \ShaLonda Morgan nets almost J* * * {$200,000 in college scholarships; * j Carver graduate decides to ZftttendN.C. Central University Photo by Melde Put ledge Morgan BY MELDE RUTLEDCiE THE CHRONICLE College tuition is rising twice the rate of inflation. The necessity to be familiar with financial planning for a child to attend college has never been greater. On June 7, President Bush signed into law an extensive tax relief that is partly designed to assist those families with the cost of higher learning. Unfortu nately, the new law doesn't take effect until or after Jan. 1, 2002 - too far away for some. But for ShaLonda Morgan, 18, money for school will not be a dilemma. As a graduate of Carver High School last month. Morgan applied to eight universities. Her first letter back was from Fayetteville State University. When she opened the envelope and read their response, she was overjoyed to see that the univer sity offered her a full scholar ship. "I was shocked," she said. "I was just jumping up and down, screaming and hollering, saying, 'Thank you, Jesus.' " Adding to her joy were five more universities that also granted her full academic schol arships, totaling $192,500. Her decision to attend N.C. Central 'University was a hard one. She plans to major in computer information systems there. "I want to get a computer background and probably be a librarian." she said. Her work with the public library at the Carver School Road branch has prepared her for this endeavor. "She is a very conscientious person." said Louise Leggett, the library supervisor there. "She comes to work every day on time, and goes above and beyond her duty." Leggett is very proud of Morgan and said that her thoughts of being a librarian are mainly because of the rewarding work that she has done and seen the librarians do during the year and a half she's worked with the library. "I think that when she saw all the things that we had to do, she had a better appreciation for it," said Leggett. Not worrying about money for school has especially pleased Morgan's parents. "They were extremely glad that they didn't have to pay any thing," she said. Most surprising to them was the fact that Morgan didn't apply for the scholarships. "I just went to school, and I did my best." Newspaper association awards The Chronicle FROM STAFF REPORTS The Chronicle was among the winners at the 2(X)I National News paper Publishers Association's Merit Awards held last week in Atlanta. The awards were the high light of the yearly convention held by NNPA. a national newspaper group whose membership includes more than 2(H) African-American newspapers in the United States. The Chronicle won second place in the best business section category. T. Kevin Walker, managing editor of The Chronicle, also received a sec ond-place award for best news fea ture for a story he wrote on a local ?W T . A ceremony honoring the memory of an African immigrant who was shot to death by New York police. "We are especially proud of the award for our business page," Walk er said. "We began the page just a year ago as a way to showcase local and national movers and shakers. We knew from the start that we were doing something right with Business Focus. This award only validates that." Over its 28-year history. The Chronicle has received countless awards from NNPA, including being named the best African-American newspaper in the nation twice. Voting rate lower among blacks in N.C. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CHARLOTTE - Blacks in Nonh Carolina vote at a lower rate than whites despite constant regis tration drives and laws making it easier to cast ballots, according to a newspaper study. In Mecklenburg County, 56 percent of voting-age whites went to the polls in November com pared to 45 percent of blacks. Overall, North Carolina's gap was more than 12 percentage points, the Charlotte Observer reported Monday. "We're well aware of the gap.'' said Fred Yates, political action chairman for the NAACP's N.C. chapter. "We've got a long way to go." The study reflected a national pattern caused primarily by socio economic factors. Poor .and low educated people are less likely to vote than others, studies show, and ? blacks make up a disproportionate share of that group. Black voting rises at the higher end of the socio-economic ladder. "If you could correct for (income) nationwide, then blacks are actually more likely to partici pate than whites in the same sta tus," said political scientist John Aldrich of Duke University. "(The gap) is almost all class and educa tional background." The Observer reviewed data for 82 of the state's 100 counties. Nowhere did the black participa tion rate top that of whiles. Experts cite several reasons for the voting gap. including histori cal discrimination, the number of black men in prison or on parole, and feelings among black resi dents they have little at stake in an election. "If for years you've been told Sec Voting on A7 Experiment in Self-Reliance Holds ID A Graduation Danny Haire, Program Director at ESR, presents a graduation certificate to an IDA graduate. SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE Some 15 graduates of Forsyth County fs Individual Development Account (IDA) program were hon ored last night at the YWCA. Man agers from the Experiment in Self Reliance (ESR) conducted the gradu ation, which was the culmination of a series of financial management class es. While the participants attend ses sions, they are also required to save toward home ownership, small busi ness start-up or a higher education degree. Once participants have saved $I.(XX). they become eligible for matching funds from 2-to-l up to 6 to-1. all of which is applied to their goal. Along with ESR, which adminis ters the program, the other lead agency is the Forsyth County Housing Department, which assists the gradu ates whose goal is home ownership. Various other government and non profit agencies, including the Depart ment of Social Services, also partici pate in the consortium that collabo rates to make the IDA program suc cessful in Forsyth County. Bank of America participates in IDA by managing savings accounts for the participants to deposit their savings into. Numerous other banks in the community also support the program by providing loans for home ownership. For more information about the IDA program, please contact Danny Haire at ESR at 722-9400, or Dan Cornelis at Counts' Housing at 727 2840. A&T career counselor wins services award Mark SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE GREENSBORO - Carolyn R Mark, the job developer/coun selor in the Office of Career Ser vices at North Carolina Agricul tural and Technical State Univer sity, received the Furney K. James Outstanding Services Award at the North Carolina Association of Colleges and Employers (NCACE) Conference in Wrightsville Beach. N.C. Mark has been a member of NCACE since 1992. At the last conference, she was elected secretary for a two year term. She has held sever al positions within the organiza tion including co-chair of the annual conference program com- i mittee: co-chair and editor of the NCACE Newsletter: co-chair of I NCACE membership; member of I NCACE Nominating Committee: : and member of the executive I board. The NCACE Outstanding Ser vice Award recognizes outstand ing services rendered to NCACE by a member or former member of the association. The award is given to individ uals who have made a significant contribution to NCACE through participation on committees or programs or attendance at NCACE functions. The person has demonstrated leadership in NCACE for a significant number of years; or developed a new pro gram or concept with a positive I impact on ine association. The purpose of NCACE is to :tring together all facets of the business, industrial, government tnd postsecondary level educa ional communities operating within the state of North Carolina hat are involved in career ser vices. employment and utilization personnel for the ultimate goal }f promoting and developing :ooperation between members; tnd to develop a high degree of jrofessionalism in the field of ;areer services; The organization promotes esearch and exchange of infor mation needed to continually develop the practices and proce dures used in career services; and :xtends assistance to the member ship in the development of profes sional recruiting practice and jolicies. |_ BERRYCOOL FREE GIFT Your "Cool Colors" bonus from Fashion Fair YOURS FREE with any Fashion Fair purchase of $17 or more Or ?Bp:.)! wLSSISM I I Pick up your gift today and see Fashion Fair's fresh, sheer, soft, sexy, and fun "Cool Colors" collection of lipstick (12.50) and blush (14.50) shades - plus new Flidden Beauty? k Foaming Facial Cleanser. 5.5 oz.. 17.50 This Berry Cool cosmetic bag includes: -Berry Cool Full Size Lipstick "Berry Lip Liner Pencil "Sheer Gold Automatic Lip Color "Special Formula Lotion ? 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