University Women give scholarships to Parker, Patton

The Orange Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in June gave their annual scholarships to two local graduating high school female students.

Alicia Parker of Little Cypress-Mauriceville and Jordynn Patton of West Orange-Stark High Schools were given the scholarships to continue their educations. Parker plans to go to Lamar University in Beaumont and Patton will be attending Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana.

The club, which is part of the National AAUW, will be celebrating its 75th anniversary in Orange this year. The local group has long given college scholarships to local young women graduating from high school. For a number of those years, the scholarship money has been raised through the club's annual used book sale .

The group celebrated the two scholarship winners during their annual banquet held at Robert's Steak House. In addition to presenting the scholarships, member Marilyn Greene handed out booklets of her history of the Orange Chapter of AAUW.

Anyone interested in joining the Orange AAUW, including men, may contact Mary Ann Fetchin at 409-779-0203.

Parker lives with her caregivers Kimmie and Scott Potter. She plans to study at Lamar to become a teacher for early elementary children. While at LCM, she placed second in all-region choir her sophomore year.

In addition, she is active in her church and helps coordinate children's activities and helps with child care. She is also involved on the church's worship team. She also loves to play recreational basketball and babysit.

Patton played on the Lady Mustang varsity basketball team from the time she was a freshman and served as team captain for two years. She earned scholastic all-district honors for her school work as she participated in basketball, cross country, and softball. While playing basketball, she was the rebound leader her junior year with 240 rebounds.

In addition, she was a member of the Mustang Student Concil and worked on dance committees and community service projects like the Granger Food Drive and working with the Lions Club.

Also, she was a dual-enrollment student in high school and at Lamar State College-Orange. She has received an academic scholarship to Centenary and also plans to play basketball there.

Her high school counselor, Monica Guillory, recommended her for the award by writing "She is a strong young woman whose hard work will undoubtedly bring great things."