Crystal City, VA. On June 2, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Virginia, Psi Alpha Alpha held its fourth annual scholarship and community recognition breakfast; the Bernie L. Bates Foundation, Inc.—a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, underwrote the event.
More than 65 honorees, their families, their friends, guests and members of the Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter attended the event. As the attendees entered the Prince William Conference room, the air was filled with the melodious sounds of music written and produced by Clarence T. Brown, III – one of the scholarship recipients.
The master of sound for the event was Brother Keith Wilson. Brother Isaiah Barnwell III served as the Master of Ceremony and performed his duties with his usual, yet extraordinary charm and wit. Brother Beidleman invoked God’s presence to come and fill the room with His grace and mercy and bestow bountiful blessings upon the tasty breakfast buffet. As a special treat, the attendees ate and socialized, while Bro. Wilson continued to play soft music; thereby, providing a unique ambience to this special occasion. Brother Craig Spraggins (Basileus/President) of the Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter, Fairfax County, VA, and Brother Jerome Haggins (Vice President BLB, Inc) along other chapter members greeted the honorees, family members, and friends.
While the Chapter’s first place Talent Hunt winner was not available to perform one of her melodious piano masterpieces, the second-place winner, Mr. Nicholas McCatty provided his wonderful vocals to two Donny Hathaway classics. In true Psi Alpha Alpha fashion, the chapter utilizes every opportunity to highlight the skills of our Talent Hunt winners and participants.
A dynamic motivational speaker named Reginald Williams, who specializes in emotional identity and cognitive behavioral education, highlighted the event. His charge to the students allowed them to realize that, although they are not perfect; they are perfectly made as a masterpiece. This helped the scholarship candidates to realize that there is something uniquely special about them and the talents they offer the world.
Ms. Mickayla Brandao, the 2017 Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter top scholarship recipient and student at New York University; provided an excellent charge to the honorees: make the most of your college experiences, hold yourself to high expectations, always be yourself, and remember God’s influence on your life.
The Foundation/Psi Alpha Alpha awarded $21,100 for the 2018 Scholarship and Community Recognition Programs. The awards were presented in three groups of honorees and community recognitions: Students who apply to the Bernie L. Bates Foundation’s Scholarship Program are selected based on the scholarship committee’s selection criteria; the community recognitions are selected by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. In 2018, the selections were Scholarship Honorees ($20,000), University Recognitions ($1,000), and High School Recognitions ($100). Of special note, the four highest awards were given in the names of prominent Omega men whom devoted their lives to the service of their communities and set the example of a selfless servant of the community.
Scholarship Honorees
Name |
School Attended |
Amount |
Will Attend |
Justin Mosely |
Homeschool |
$500.00 |
Hampton University |
Louis Crimiel |
C. D. Hylton High School |
$500.00 |
Mississippi State University |
Nia Adams |
C. D. Hylton High School |
$500.00 |
Winston-Salem State University |
Machaela Simmons |
Hayfield Secondary School |
$500.00 |
Duquesne University |
Kelcey Parks |
George C. Marshall High School |
$500.00 |
Baylor University |
Justin Moore |
Forrest Park High School |
$750.00 |
James Madison University |
Cayla Harrison |
Yorktown High School |
$1,000.00 |
College of William and Mary |
Clarence T. Brown, III |
Charles J. Colgan High School |
$1,500.00 |
Hampton University |
Arianna Tilley |
St John Paul the Great Catholic High School |
$1,750.00 |
Muhlenberg College |
Rayshell Santana |
North Point High School |
$2,000.00 |
Radford University |
Annabelle Bailey |
Washington Lee High School |
$2,500.00 |
University of Chicago |
Shalvit Grimes |
St Johns College High School |
$8,000.00 (over four years) |
St John’s University |
High School (Community Recognitions)
Name |
School Attended |
Amount |
Will Attend |
Cydni A. Brown |
Woodrow Wilson High School |
$100.00 |
Norfolk State University |
University Graduate (Community Recognitions)
Name |
University Attended |
Amount |
Calye Smalls |
Northern Virginia Community College |
$250.00 |
Amanda Bell |
George Mason University |
$250.00 |
Alexis Benjamin |
Pepperdine University |
$250.00 |
Langston Dennis |
Morehouse College |
$250.00 |
Over the past twelve years, the Foundation and Psi Alpha Alpha has provided over $300,000 in support of the Fairfax County community; our programs include, but are not limited to- the Youth Aviation Program (I Believe I Can Fly), Reading for Success Program (Riverside Elementary School), Gum Springs Community Center, New Hope Housing, Northern Virginia Urban League, Capital Area Food Bank, Boys & Girls Club and a myriad of other community support activities.
We wish the recipients of all our programs the very best in their endeavors, as Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter and the Bernie L. Bates Foundation continues to support the community through the Cardinal Principles of; Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift.