Reacg for the Gold Scholarship Recipients

August 31, 2007 - New York, NY...In upholding their motto, "Serving and Educating Throughout Our Diversity", Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (OPBSI) would like to congratulate Christina J. White and Han Givens as the 2007 Reach for the Gold Book Scholarship recipients. The OPBSI Scholarship Review Board carefully selected these two well-deserving individuals from over 100 applications submitted.

The Reach for the Gold Book Scholarships is one of OPBSI's many initiatives for serving and uplifting the community. Each $500 scholarship is applied to the high costs of college textbooks in the first year of college. Annually, scholarship applications are distributed throughout the nation through various high schools and made available on the Internet for high-school senior female students. Submitted applications are then reviewed based on the candidate’s commitment to scholastic achievement and community service.

Christine J. White, a first year student, was awarded the Benevolence Book Scholarship for her outstanding contributions to her community. Ms. White participates in many groups such as her Church Ministry and Youth Leadership Task Force of the DC Campaign to End Teen Pregnancy. Her goal is “to develop a Youth Center to provide youth with the keys they need to unlock the doors to their dreams.” She also plans to “create an all-boys school to give African-American males an opportunity to realize their dreams, their potential for greatness, and give them hope, confidence, and a refocused mission.” Her services are truly inspiring.

Han Givens, a first year student at the University of California at Berkley, was awarded the Academic Book Scholarship for her commitment to academic excellence. Han was ranked third out of 461 students in her graduating class. She plans on studying engineering. “The drive to understand the small and large details of technology and the inner working of human existence compels me to continue in studies of engineering… To know that I can make a contribution to the advancement of society, improve poor standards of living in developing countries, assist in breakthrough medical research, this is why I strive to become an engineer,” says Ms. Givens.

Both women were selected from over 100 applications from women representing 24 states across the nation for their commitment to academic excellence and passion for improving their communities. "The Reach for the Gold Book Scholarship is a small way to give back to our community. It provides us with the opportunity to celebrate the successes of young women who will lead us in the future. We want to encourage young women to break the educational barriers and excel in all aspects of their life, including higher education and community service. And, this scholarship provides us with this opportunity," comments Nicole Baker, Executive Director of the OPBSI Alumnae Association.

"The Reach for the Gold Book Scholarship is our way of giving back to our community. We serve as examples to young women by encouraging higher education and community service. We want to encourage young women to explore female heroes," comments Nicole Baker, Executive Director of Alumnae Association.

To learn more about the Reach for the Gold Book Scholarship, please visit Scholarship. The 2008-2009 Reach for the Gold Book Scholarship applications will be available in January 2008.

Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is a Latina-oriented sorority founded on March 15, 1989, at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Seventeen women of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds came together to defy the injustices suffered by women, particularly women of color, in the academic, professional and political arenas. The purpose of OPBSI is to serve and educate people of diverse backgrounds through sisterhood, leadership, and guidance. As positive role models, we promote unity of all cultures, focus on the empowerment of our gender and raise the standards of excellence in our academic, social, and personal endeavors. For further information visit: OmegaPhiBeta.org

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