The Martin Luther King Jr./ Charles Beale Scholarship Committee presented the first annual $3,000 in scholarships this year to the following students.

Shardavia Green, daughter of Hubert and Michelle Green, will attend East Georgia College in the fall to pursue a career in nursing.

Rhonda Lovett, daughter of Tamia Lovett, is currently enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve, stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C. She will attend East Georgia College in the fall to pursue a nursing career.

Latranese Sapp, daughter of La’tesa Williams, will attend Georgia Southern University (GSU) in the fall to pursue a career as a pediatrician.

Mikesha Williams, daughter of Sonja McNeely and Michael Williams, will attend GSU in the fall to pursue a career as a pediatrician. She is the granddaughter of Tallulah McNeely.

Shante Bynes, daughter of Atalie Bynes, is a freshmen enrolled at Armstrong State University where she is seeking a nursing degree.

Jennifer Jones, daughter of Grace Ann Jones and the late Jimmy Jones, is a sophomore enrolled at Fort Valley State University seeking a career as a physical therapist.

Because of the generosity, dedication and commitment of local businesses, churches and individuals, the scholarship fund has progressed from a dream to a reality. The MLK Scholarship Committee expressed their sincere appreciation to each contributor.

“In additional to fundraising activities, and in order to continue our efforts to offer scholarships to deserving seniors and college students, the scholarship committee will continue to rely on the generosity of benefactors such as you again. Thank you in advance for caring and sharing your resources to benefit our students. Also, congratulations to these outstanding students and their parents,” the committee said.