Each year, the Isle of Wight Training School/Westside High School Legacy Group gives a scholarship to honor the legacy of an alumnus of either Isle of Wight Training School/Westside High School, former educator, or community leader who impacted its legacy in some way.

This year, the group honored the memory of James B. Brown Sr., who was a civic leader in local government, community activist, a civil engineer and an unofficial college recruiter of local students for historically Black colleges and universities. As a part of the application process, each applicant had to write a 250- to 500-word essay that listed their academic goals, as well as their life ambitions. They had to state their intention to enroll in a two- or four-year college or a vocational career training program.

The Isle of Wight Training School/Westside High School Legacy Group, Inc. was fortunate to receive an additional $4,000 donation from Ms. Dolores Cherrington and her mother, Josephine Cherrington, to fully fund the additional four applicants. Accordingly, the IWTS/WHS Legacy Group is proud to present four additional scholarship recipients for the upcoming spring semester, all of whom are from Smithfield High School.

Raven Curry, daughter of Michael and Jenice Curry, is using her $1,000 award to attend Hampton University, where she is majoring in biology with the ultimate goal of becoming an OB/GYN physician. In high school, she was a member of the National Beta Club; the National Honor Society; and the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Sciences.

The second recipient is Gabrielle Parker, who is the daughter of Tracey and Latonya Parker. She is using her $1,000 scholarship to attend Norfolk State University, where she is majoring in English. She participated in such high school activities as the Student Council, Marching Band, cheerleading and the Praise Dance Ministry.

The third $1,000 scholarship recipient is Kori Ridley, who is the daughter of April Ridley. She is attending Virginia Tech in pursuit of a degree in occupational therapy. In high school, she was on the honor roll and was cited for achieving perfect attendance.

The fourth recipient is Aja Walker, daughter of Allen and Chiquita Walker. She is attending Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she is majoring in chemistry. Walker was a member of the varsity basketball team; received several JROTC awards; recognized as Winter Athlete of the Year in her junior year; and volunteered with the Christian outreach organization.

The Legacy Group is proud to live by its motto, “Gift an Education… Launch a Dream,” via these four recipients.

The IWTS/WHS Legacy Group, Inc., is a non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) charitable foundation that was established effective April 2, 2018. It is a spin-off of the IWTS/WHS Reunion Committee. Funds have been raised via contributions from IWTS/WHS alumni, family members who attended and from Legacy members working during the annual Smithfield Events held at Windsor Castle.  However, due to the cancellation of some of those events, fundraising has become more challenging.

The Legacy Group has been fortunate with generous contributions from Dolores Cherrington and her mother, Josephine Cherrington, of Portsmouth. Cherrington is a longtime friend of Ms. Edna Addison, secretary of the reunion committee and sister of the president of the Legacy Group, Sherman L. Addison.

The Legacy Group is proud to have been able to award $13,000 in scholarships to 13 graduates from high schools in the county since 2018. All funds contributed are used for scholarships and can be sent payable to: IWTS/WHS Legacy Group, Inc., P.O. Box 279, Carrollton, VA 23314.  The Legacy Group encourages readers to take a look at its Facebook page for more information and strongly consider becoming a member.