Under the leadership of President Melissa Rollins, the Phi Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority recently awarded a total of $3,000 in scholarships to three area college-bound high school graduates from Surry, Windsor and Smithfield high schools.

The sorority encourages and supports the advancement of educational opportunities and recognizes the importance of financial assistance in the process.

Recipients are Sayone Greene, a graduate of Smithfield High School who will attend Virginia State University; Chelsey D. Brown, graduate of Windsor High School who will attend East Carolina University; and Alaysia Judkins, graduate of Surry County High School, who will attend North Carolina Central University.

“We are extremely proud of the students who received our academic scholarships,” said sorority Vice President Betty Newby. “We wish for each of them a very successful school year as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.”

The competitive scholarship is awarded yearly and is based on several criteria, including grade point average, community service, leadership experience and writing a competitive essay. Information about the awards is sent to each high school in the two communities the sorority serves, Surry and Isle of Wight counties.

Phi Chi Omega has awarded scholarships since the chapter’s chartering in March 2001 and has contributed over $25,000 to deserving scholars.

“Phi Chi Omega wishes to thank the Surry and Isle of Wight communities for your support in the fundraising activities sponsored in which proceeds benefit the annual scholarship initiatives,” Rollins said.