Lake Oconee Youth Alliance announces 2024 scholarship recipients

Published 9:05 am Thursday, June 20, 2024

Samantha Spisak

Lake Oconee Youth Alliance (LOYA) is dedicated to the empowerment of underserved youth through mentoring and scholarship programs for post-secondary education. Since 2018, LOYA has provided undergraduate recurring scholarships to 67 HOPE and PELL eligible area students attending in-state colleges and universities.

LOYA is proud to announcecollege scholarships to the following 12 high school students. They are 2024 graduates of Greene, Putnam and LOA high schools: Breylan Evans LOA, Gwinnett College, education major; Jasmine Burke PCHS, Kennesaw State University, education major; Anahi Barranco, PCHS, Georgia College, accounting major; Jude Doredant, PCHS, Georgia College/Georgia Tech, computer science major; Kamiya Jones, PCHS, Savannah State University, criminal justice major; Katrina Rucker, PCHS, Kennesaw State University, computer science major; Bryant Ruff, PCHS, Emmanuel College, sports management major; and Samantha Spisak, PCHS, Wesleyan College, biology major; Jonquail Coates, PCHS, Georgia College, computer science major; Emily Allen, PCHS, North Georgia Technical College, welding education major; Jacory Mapp, GCHS, Kennesaw State University, 2D Animation major; Christian Smith, GCHS, Morehouse College, advertising/marketing major;

The following threecollege underclassmen have been awarded scholarships throughout the remainder of their undergraduate careers: Sherlyn Camancho-Bustamante, PCHS (2023), Georgia College, accounting major; Chandler Gordon, PCHS (2021), Kennesaw State University, business administration major, 1st. Lt. U.S. Army upon graduation; A’Kerria Merritt, GCHS (2023), GSU, business administration major.

LOYA provides college scholarships through 3 different programs:

  • Traditional 4-year scholarships to high school seniors attending in-state colleges/universities.

  • Two-year GAP scholarships to Technical/community college residential students.

  • Second look scholarships to outstanding college students to complete their undergraduate study.

Mentors provide guidance, a friendly face and encouragement to LOYA recipients, as someone that has walked the paths of collegiate education. Many of the LOYA scholarship recipients are first in family to attend college.

Overall, LOYA has provided $500,000 in college scholarship and $170,000 in college assistance thanks to our community of generous donors. If you would like to donate or volunteer to be a mentor, email Scholars4loya@gmail.com .