Two recent Roanoke City graduates have received scholarships from the Virginia Theta chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, International Honorary Organization for Women Educators, to continue their education with a goal of pursuing a degree in any related field of education.
Arianna Rodgers of William Fleming High School and Samuel English of Patrick Henry High School will each receive $1100 toward their college expenses in the fall of 2021.
Rogers plans to earn a degree in the field of school counseling as a school social worker and will be attending Norfolk State University’s School of Social Work starting in the fall. English plans to pursue a degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in history and will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University.
Rogers has been involved not only in her schoolwork but also in community activities such as the Roanoke NAACP Youth Council and “Getting Out the Vote 2020.” She feels her education will help her provide students the support and encouragement that she received from her counselors and teachers.
According to CheRee Wiley, English’s African American Culture class instructor, he “is never afraid to voice his opinion, offer a valuable perspective to the topics being discussed or ask questions when clarity is needed.” Adrian Wray, his social studies teacher, describes him by saying, “He represents what we, as educators, would like to see in all of our students.”
English has also been heavily involved with three local churches as a guitarist for their services and has been an active member of the CTE Advisory Board as a student representative.
Virginia Theta is a chapter of the International Alpha Delta Kappa Teachers’ Sorority which promotes excellence in education, altruism and world understanding. Theta has a history of presenting scholarships to Roanoke City Public School students who plan to be involved in educational careers. Over the past 12 years, this has amounted to approximately $15,000. Pamela Edwards is currently serving as President of the Virginia Theta chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa.
