An investment in knowledge pays the best return
Inez E. DeBaptiste Memorial Scholarship
Samantha Calvert
Samantha Calvert is the daughter of Joseph and Tracy Calvert and is a 2026 graduate of Coatesville Area Senior High School (CASH), where she graduated Number 1 in her class of 486 with a weighted GPA of 104.1154. At CASH, Samantha was active as a member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Academic Team, Student Council, and Leo Club, among other school activities. She also volunteered extensively in her community, including at Hibernia United Methodist Church, Senator Katie Muth’s E-Waste and Recycling Community Event, and Special Olympics. Samantha plans to attend Temple University in the fall, where she will major in Communications and minor in Mathematics within the Honors Program.
Rotary Club of Coatesville Scholarship
Ayonna Birckett
Ayonna Birckett is the daughter of Shawna Birckett and is a 2025 graduate of Coatesville Area Senior High School (CASH), where she maintained a GPA of 87.92.
At CASH, Ayonna earned Honor Roll recognition and was active in the SADD Club. She also spent time volunteering in her community, including with the Holiday Hope Chest, Special Olympics, SWAT FX, and Reading Olympics, among other organizations. In her application, Ayonna writes, “My biggest goal in life is to become a social worker. I want to help kids who feel like no one understands them, especially those in the child welfare system.” She plans to attend West Chester University and major in Social Work.
Judith T. Williams Memorial Scholarship
Micah Miles
Micah Miles is the son of Schenay Miles and is a 2026 graduate of Avon Grove Charter School in West Grove, Pennsylvania. During high school, Micah was active in Young Men & Women in Charge (YMWIC), the Math and Science Club, and the Bible Study Club. He was also selected to participate in a leadership program that mentors incoming students.
In his application, Micah shared, “My life’s ambition is to be a good example of Christ and help spread the word of God. I hope to live as a servant and help people grow closer to the Lord.” Micah plans to attend the University of Valley Forge in the fall and pursue a course of study that will prepare him for a life of service to others and ministry.
Rodney Perry Memorial Scholarship
Gabrielle Bookard
Gabrielle Bookard is the daughter of Alan Bookard and Inga Norman and is a 2026 graduate of Coatesville Area Senior High School (CASH), where she maintained a weighted GPA of 98.769, ranking 29th in her class. At CASH, Gabrielle is an honor student and participated in the National Honor Society, volleyball, basketball, the Black Student Union, and Senior Class Cabinet, among other activities. Outside of the classroom, she is incredibly involved in her community. She has volunteered with Special Olympics, visited residents at Harrison House, and read to students at East Fallowfield Elementary School.
Gabrielle plans to attend Temple University in the fall, where she will major in Kinesiology within the Honors Program.
Rodney Perry Memorial Scholarship
Corey Fields, Jr.
Corey Fields, Jr., is the son of Dr. Corey and Stacie Fields, Sr., and is a 2026 graduate of Coatesville Area Senior High School (CASH), where he maintained a GPA of 4.0, ranking him among the top students of his class.
At CASH, Corey is an honor student and has served as President of both the Student Council and Black Student Union, Captain of the Academic Team, and a member of the National Honor Society, among other activities. Outside of the classroom, he served as a youth panelist for the MLK Weekend Fest hosted by the Coatesville NAACP, distributed nonpartisan voter information during the 2024 national election, and authored an essay on the importance of remembering the 1911 lynching of Zachariah Walker, the victim of a lynching in Coatesville. Corey plans to attend Villanova University to pursue degrees in Finance and Economics.
Women’s League Memorial Scholarship
Miles Mader
Miles Mader is the son of Tim and Dawn Mader and is a 2026 graduate of Bayard Rustin High School in the West Chester Area School District, where he maintained a weighted GPA of 3.7568. At Rustin, Miles was an honor student for all four years and participated in the Black Student Union, track and field, the Spike the Rock fundraiser, and summer league basketball. His volunteer activities include M.O.B.B.Y. (Mentoring Our Black, Brown Youth), the Guide Right Program, and serving as both a team member at Shake Shack and a camp counselor at Benchmark School. In his application, Miles writes, “I am very big on making an impact on my community and the people around me to create positive change. My biggest goal for the future is to challenge unjust convictions of people wrongly accused of crimes.” Miles plans to attend Cheyney University to major in Criminal Justice/Pre-Law before continuing to law school to achieve his goal of becoming an attorney.
Women’s League Memorial Scholarship
Kimori Warren
Kimori Warren is the daughter of Dawn Warren and is a 2026 graduate of Coatesville Area Senior High School (CASH), where she maintained a weighted GPA of 3.80.At CASH, Kimori is a member of the National Honor Society, the volleyball team, the basketball team, and the Black Student Union, among other activities. Her volunteer activities include tutoring, service with the American Red Cross, babysitting, and involvement with the Coatesville Youth Initiative.In her application, Kimori writes, “My interest in political science and law comes from my desire to challenge the systems that often work against minorities and people from lower-income backgrounds like myself. From a young age, I have developed a clear understanding that many aspects of the United States system can be unfair and make it difficult for certain communities to succeed.” Kimori plans to attend Howard University to major in Political Science and then attend law school to achieve her goal of becoming an attorney.
James Simmons Memorial Scholarship
Christopher Jacks
Christopher Jay Jacks, affectionately known as CJ, is the son of Christina Lee and Jay Jacks and is a 2025 graduate of Collegium Charter School. During his high school years, Christopher dedicated his time to serving his community through the Coatesville Youth Initiative, volunteering with the NAACP, and remaining actively involved at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Christopher plans to attend Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology this August, where he will continue developing the skills and knowledge needed to achieve his career goals.
Through his resilience and unwavering determination, he has demonstrated that challenges can become steppingstones to achievement. The Women’s League for Minority Education is honored to recognize Christopher and celebrate the future that lies ahead as he continues striving to make a meaningful difference in his community and beyond.