Valerie Smith-Reid

 

2004 Recipients


Ryan Dunigan


Quiana McKenzie


Richard Garrett

(not pictured)
Benard Stinson


Jacquin Milhouse

   The Valerie Smith-Reid Scholarship Fund was established to help promising students from the Greater Roseland community pursue their dreams of higher education. Scholarships of $1,000 are awarded annually to graduating seniors in the Greater Roseland area. While the scholarships are merit based, special consideration is given to students who demonstrate financial disadvantage and tenacity in overcoming obstacles. An emphasis is placed on students who have made positive contributions to their community.

History:
This Scholarship was initiated in 1998 to preserve the memory of Valerie Smith-Reid, an active member of the Roseland community who worked to ensure that talented young people were provided with opportunities that would not have ordinarily been available to them. Mrs. Smith-Reid attended Southern Illinois University and the University of Illinois at Chicago, and was an active member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. In March 1998, Mrs. Smith-Reid succumbed to breast cancer after a tireless and courageous battle. In memory of her work to help young people in this community, her family sought to preserve her legacy through an investment in the youth of the Greater Roseland community.

Eligibility:
Students graduating from high schools near and around the Roseland Community are eligible to apply for the VSR Scholarship. Students must have a 2.0 grade point average and demonstrated academic success. Students must be accepted at (or applied to) an accredited two or four year college or university. At least two scholarships of $1,000 per school year will be awarded annually to graduating seniors.

Application:
Interested students may pick up an application from their high school guidance counselor or the South Side Help Center, 10420 S. Halsted, Chicago, IL 60628.
Click Here to Download the Application

Deadline:
Each year, the application deadline is February 28. Announcements will be made in May and awards presented in the fall term.

Selection:
The Board of Directors of the Valerie Smith-Reid Scholarship Fund will review completed applications and invite selected candidates to a personal interview. The scholarship winners will then be selected by the board. All applicants will be notified of their selection status by mail.

Award:
Recipients will receive an award letter and notice. Upon graduation and acceptance at the school of his/her choice, the scholarship will be disbursed directly to the university registrar/bursar.

Obligations:
Upon award of the scholarship, students and their families will meet with members of the Board of Directors to discuss roles and expectations.
At the close of the first year, the student must submit a grade report and an essay discussing their academic and social achievements during the first year.