Scholarship Recipients

S C H O L A R S H I P

Sweetlana Padilla is a Senior at Simpson Academy for Young Women. She will be graduating on June 2, 2023. Upon graduation, she plans to Malcolm X College in Chicago majoring in Psychology with a minor in Political Science with hopes of becoming a Social Psychologist. She currently serves as the President of the Student Voice Committee and the student representative on the LSC. After Malcolm X, Sweetlana plans to attend Loyola University to obtain her doctoral degree. She is currently dually enrolled at Chicago State University while obtaining dual credits from Kennedy King College.

Since the third grade, she has always wanted to be a military psychologist. Her uncle, who is also in the military, inspired her. Which later she decided she wanted to attend college and study psychology.

Sweetlana is the proud mother of 1-year-old Mazhakeem whom she loves with all her heart.

A student by profession, Keshawn Avilez was born in Oak Lawn, Illinois in October 2004. Keshawn currently lives on the Southside of Chicago with her parents (Mr. Kelvin Avilez and Dr. Shawnice Avilez) and her twin brother Kai Avilez. Her oldest brother, Kelvin Avilez, Jr. resides in New York. As a child, she spent numerous summers traveling to Belize with her family. As both her parents migrated from Belize City, Central America. Currently, Keshawn is a senior at Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory School.

For the last two years, she has been a dual enrolled student at Chicago State University. At Chicago State University, she has maintained a 4.0 G.P.A.

Over the last six(6) years, Keshawn has participated in the After School Matters Program (ASM). By participating in the ASM program, she has been able to explore her passion in science & culinary, & refine new skills, and earn money while being a student. Keshawn was also a member of the Teen Esteem Program during the academic year 2019-2020. It is a mentoring program designed to enrich young ladies in high school One of Keshawn’s many passions is helping others; as such, she currently serves as a teacher’s assistant for 7th graders.

Keshawn also spends her free time enjoying athletic activities. She was a member of the volleyball, softball and soccer teams at her high school. She also enjoys attending church and spending time with her family and friends.

Keshawn is continuously improving, learning and seeking ways to grow academically and professionally.

I V E P E A R L S S C H O L A R S H I P

W H I T E S C H O L A R S H I

Erin Williams is a 17-year-old senior at De La Salle Institute, where she participates in various clubs such as City of De (Student Council), theater and creative writing.

Outside of school, she participates in Girl Scouts, Keystone and a member of Tau Psi Zeta’s Archonettes Youth Auxiliary, where she currently serves as the president. She participated in an internship at the Louis L. Valentine Boys and Girls Club as their STEAM Intern; where she runs and produces their teen podcast.

In the fall, Erin plans to attend Purdue University and major in Communications.

Aniya Moore is a senior at Simpson Academy for Young Women. She has a 1-year-old son named Tayshawn Wood whom she loves deeply. She’s the oldest of three girls. She lives with her mom who is a single parent. Despite being a mother Aniya continues to grow and develop as a student. She’s apart of a program called Super 7, where she’s learning different skills such as tap dancing, cheerleading, martial arts and much more. She is self-taught hairstylist; interested in creating hair products for black women. In the fall, Aniya will be attending Chicago State University majoring in Chemistry.

She plans to become the best Cosmetic Chemist she can be. She wants to build a name for herself and her son. She wants to create a life for herself where she can be self-sufficient. She desires to be very successful. Her success will help to build a legacy for her son. She wants to be able to take care of her mom because she has dedicated her life to her.

T O R C H B E A R E R S C H O L A R S H I P

Stephanie Harden is a mother of three adult children, a multibusiness owner, and a humble servant withing the Christian community. She currently runs a boutique publishing company, Transitions Media, with two of her own books, S.T.A.N.D. and S.T.A.N.D. the Prequel, on the roster. Stephanie is also the Executive Director of Transitions Resource Center, a non-profit organization specializing in the career readiness, goal setting and professionalism. Stephanie believes in the old adage, if you can believe it, you can achieve it, with guidance, faith and the strength of Christ as her foundation and catalyst.

In addition to operating her businesses, Stephanie also faithfully serves in multiple roles at her church home, Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church in Gary, IN., mainly as the Minister of Outreach and Evangelism. She is also active in the Baptist conventions, on the local, state, and national levels.

Stephanie joyfully volunteers in the NWI Indiana and Chicagoland communities and has a passion for equality and justice for all, which has led to her current pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in Labor Studies and Anthropology. As an entrepreneur and lifelong learner, Stephanie hopes to usher others into a place of financial independence and life fulfillment through inspiration, encouragement, and customized guidance into what their true calling is.