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Self-reliance will become the watchword for everything from waking up in the morning to securing a meal for dinner. Truly, this transition into the early stages of adulthood can be as trying for the rest of the family, as well. But off to college they must go and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) is providing financial support for this next generation.
With scholarships, the CBTU is helping four bright up-and-coming students to ease the financial bills that college admittance brings. Winners of the local awards are: Shakia Blount, Christina Randolph, and Clinita Randolph. Ranking nationally is Nicole Shelton, a Philadelphian who won a CBTU national award.
"I was shocked to learn that I was a national winner," said Nicole
Shelton in a recent interview. Bernard Fisher, President of the
Philadelphia Chapter heard my name called at the CBTU convention in
St. Louis this May and then called my mother Lisa Shelton. At
first, I thought it was a local chapter award but when I realized
that I had made the nationals – WOW!" Nicole will be entering her
second year at Penn State Schuylkill, near Reading, PA., with a
major in speech therapy.
By Sheryl P. Simons Community Contributor Photographer: Webster Reddick from The University City Review
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Also
entering the medical field are Christina Randolph of Delaware County
and Shakia Blount of Radnor. Shakia, who will enter Villanova as a
nursing student, has spent the summer in a "bridge-to-college"
program at the school. "It has really helped me prepare for what
college will be like, she noted. We had classes in English,
chemistry and statistics and we also spent a lot of time getting
oriented to the campus." Shakia adds that she is nervous and
excited at the same time and really appreciates all the support of
her mother,