The Continental Societies, Inc. ‘s Mid-Atlantic annual Regional Meeting was held virtually on Saturday, April 15, 2021. This is usually an afternoon and full day in person meeting where chapter members meet to share the accomplishments of the region, fellowship with each other and receive awards and special recognitions. Since the pandemic the meeting has had two exciting one-day virtually enhanced affairs, one exceptional with Roanoke winning two special awards.
The Roanoke Chapter is one of 14 chapters in the Mid-Atlantic Region, which is comprised of chapters in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Many of the recognitions and awards are very competitive and this year Roanoke was a big winner with the Regional Scholarship and the Youth of the Year Award.
The chapter is extremely excited as this was the first time the Roanoke chapter has won first place in the Scholarship competition! Roanoke’s applicant was London Paige, a senior at William Fleming High School and the Roanoke Valley Governor’s School.
London is a leader serving as the president of WFHS SCA Student Body, the Roanoke NAACP Youth Council and the “Be That Girl” after school program. Her accolades are numerous and include The Colors Magazine’s 2020 Student of the Year. She has a GPA of 4.17 and has been accepted to at least 10 major colleges but is planning to attend Washington and Lee University.
Winning this scholarship earns London $1,000 and an opportunity to compete in the Continental’s National Scholarship for another $1,000. The winner will be announced at the 2021 Virtual National Conclave in June 2021. Roanoke is so proud of her.
The other academic honor was given to Roanoke’s Uyen Tran as the Mid -Atlantic Region‘s “Youth of the Year.” This is an honor given to an exceptional student who represents the Continentals’ mission of service to youth and children. A monetary award is given to her, as well. Uyen is a graduating senior at William Fleming High School and the Roanoke Valley Governor’s School. Even more exciting, Uyen is the 2021 WFHS valedictorian with a GPA of 4.4622, ranking #1 of 333 students. Uyen will attend the University of Virginia.
Both young ladies are young scientists and have competed in the NAACP’s ACT-SO local and National Competitions in STEM. In 2019 London won a National Bronze medal in Chemistry/Biochemistry and in 2020 she won another National Bronze medal in Biology/ Microbiology. This year, she will compete in the Medicine and Health category. In 2020, Uyen became the Roanoke Chapter’s first ACT-SO Gold medalist. It was her first competition and she competed in Chemistry/Biochemistry. This year, she will compete in Biology/Microbiology.
In addition, the Roanoke chapter submitted entries for the Mabs Kemp Essay Contest from High School student, Isla Rodriguez, RVA Regional High and middle school student, Remi Davis, Breckinridge MS. Although they were not winners, they were recognized with the entries from other chapters. Roanoke was also recognized for participating in the HEER programs with outstanding numbers of youth that were reached.
Other recognitions include: Donna Lee as the Roanoke’s Unsung Hero; Roanoke membership -initiating 6 new members making Roanoke the largest chapter in the region and recognition of The Region’s Camp-Apple Ridge Farms. This was a great day for chapter members as they celebrated these wonderful awards and recognitions. Gloria Randolph-King is scholarship chair; Loretta Freeman is chapter president.
