The Roanoke Chapter of The Links, Incorporated awarded scholarships to five 2025 high school graduates during an inspiring ceremony at High Street Baptist Church on June 28th. The Roanoke chapter annually awards scholarships to outstanding graduating seniors from the Roanoke and New River valleys who are furthering their education at colleges, universities or specialized training for specific careers.
The 2025 recipients are:
Promyss Noelle-Rena’ Elliott, a graduate of Salem High School ho will attend Virginia Commonwealth University. Promyss will enter the Pre-radiation Sciences degree program at VCU and major in Clinical Diagnostics with a concentration on sonography. Her long-term career goal is to “become a seasoned expert and leader in my field…so I can one day teach, train and offer insight and support to others.” Promyss is the daughter of Byron and Charnika Elliott.
Gonzalez-Hernandez
Jennyfer Gonzalez-Hernandez, a graduate of Patrick Henry High School who will attend Virginia Tech. Jennyfer’s personal aspirations are to become a lawyer and diplomat so that “I can help as many immigrants as possible.” Jennyfer is the daughter of Gustavo Gonzalez and Graciela Hernandez.
Leila Haley, a graduate of Christiansburg High School who will attend Davidson College. Leila, a track star at Christiansburg High, plans to major in Biology at Davidson, attend medical school and become an anesthesiologist. Leila is the daughter of Dennis and Kim Haley.
Bryce Penn, a graduate of Patrick Henry High School who will attend Ferrum College, aspires to travel the world and experience different cultures. His long-term career goal is to obtain a master’s degree in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science, and become a college athletic trainer. Bryce is the son of Bridgette Bentley.
Deasia Priest, a graduate of William Fleming High School who will continue her academic and athletic career at Randolph College. One of the top girl’s high school basketball players in the Roanoke area, Deasia plans to major in Forensics and eventually pursue a career in the criminal justice field. She is the daughter of Demetria Allicott.
The Roanoke chapter’s scholarship committee is co-chaired by members Nakeita Stewart and Stacie Wright.
“This year’s scholarship ceremony was a sacred reminder that our investment in these students is an investment in what’s possible for their lives, for our communities, and for generations to come,” Nakeita Stewart said. “These recipients were a joy to celebrate—a reflection of excellence, purpose, and promise. May we all continue to pour into their futures with the same hope and intention they carry into the world.”
The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of more than 17,000 professional women of African descent in 299 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.
President of the Roanoke (VA) Chapter is Rhonda Poindexter. Vice President is Carolyn Patterson.
