The Valdosta City Schools Foundation, Inc. is proud to announce the distribution of more than $43,500 in scholarships during the 2025-2026 school year, helping students and employees pursue their educational goals while celebrating academic achievement, leadership, service, and perseverance.
Through the generosity of community partners, local businesses, civic organizations, memorial funds, schools, alumni, and individual donors, the Foundation facilitated the awarding of 46 scholarships totaling $33,500 to graduating seniors from Valdosta High School and Valdosta Early College Academy. In addition, five REACH Georgia Scholarships totaling $10,000 were awarded to middle school students.
In total, scholarships were sponsored by 30 different organizations, schools, businesses, families, and individuals, reflecting the community's continued commitment to investing in the future of Valdosta City Schools students.
2026 Student Scholarship Recipients
Arthur Morin Cultural Connection Scholarship: Brody Nicholas Byrd – University of Florida
Bright Start, Brighter Futures Scholarships: Janiah Brown – Georgia Southern University & Braeden Daniel Lampkin - Morehouse College
Dexter Sharper Legacy Scholarship: Maleya Ayari McKeller – Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Edward Colton Dean Memorial Scholarship: Micah White – Technical College
Ella's Way Scholarships: Sarika Rahman – University of Southern California & Kentraven Major – Savannah College of Art and Design
Faith "Songbird" Emanuel Memorial Scholarships: Addison Albritton – Bethune-Cookman University & Rosbin Reyes – Georgia State University
Harley Langdale, Jr. Foundation Scholarships: Adrienne Robinson-Sullivan – Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, McKinley (Mack) DeLoach – Georgia College & State University, Lauren Grace Ball – University of Georgia, Jack Bishop – Georgia Institute of Technology, RaShad Young – Kennesaw State University
Horne Learning Center Scholarship: Kameron Johnson – Albany State University
J.L. Lomax Elementary School Scholarship: Yazmin Martinez – Valdosta State University
J.L. Newbern Middle School Scholarships: Rosbin Reyes – Georgia State University & Jessica Maxwell – Valdosta State University
Kicks for Cats Scholarships: Brooke Jackson – University of Georgia, Amelia Trieu – Kennesaw State University & Rosbin Reyes – Georgia State University
Lana N. Cason Memorial Scholarship: Rosbin Reyes – Valdosta State University
Mama Gale Thomas Eger Scholarship: Kentraven Major – Savannah College of Art and Design
Matheson Future Leaders in Public Service Scholarship: Janiya Alford – Brewton-Parker Christian University
Michelle "Belle" Garner Memorial Scholarship: Lauren Grace Ball – University of Georgia
Pinevale Elementary School Scholarship: Jasmine Aalessa Staten – Savannah College of Art and Design
Roosevelt Lowther Memorial Scholarship: Oluwatobi "Tobi" Abimbola Nathan Salami – Georgia Institute of Technology
Sallas Mahone Elementary School Scholarships: Jackson Dunbar Sutherland – University of Exeter & Oluwatobi "Tobi" Abimbola Nathan Salami – Georgia Institute of Technology
SGMC Health Scholarships: Samantha Barham – Augusta University & Jackson Ortmeyer – Valdosta State University
S.L. Mason Elementary School Scholarship: Lauren Grace Ball – University of Georgia
Southeast Capital Raymond James Scholarship: McKinley (Mack) DeLoach – Georgia College & State University
Stacey N. Grady Scholarship for VECA Scholars: Sarika Rahman – University of Southern California ($1,500), Alana Wilcox – Wiregrass Georgia Technical College ($1,000) & Alex Betz – Georgia Institute of Technology ($500)
Superintendent's Leadership Scholarship: Braeden Daniel Lampkin – Morehouse College
Valdosta City Schools Foundation Scholarships: Lauren Grace Ball – University of Georgia & Jack Bishop – Georgia Institute of Technology
Valdosta Early College Academy Scholarship: Zonique Scott – Savannah State University
Valdosta High School Scholarships: Lauren Grace Ball – University of Georgia & Jack Bishop – Georgia Institute of Technology
Valdosta Middle School Scholarship: Raihan Mahmudul Islam – Georgia Institute of Technology
W.G. Nunn Elementary School Scholarship: Zonique Scott – Savannah State University
2026 Employee Scholarship Recipients
VCS Foundation Continuing Education Scholarship for Certified Teachers: Mrs. Joy Roberts, Valdosta High School, Liberty University
VCS Foundation Scholarship for Classified Employees: Ms. Obeatrice Simmons, W.G. Nunn Elementary School, Walden University
The Valdosta City Schools Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to every scholarship sponsor, donor, volunteer reader, and community partner who made these opportunities possible.
The Foundation's scholarship program continues to grow each year. The $43,500 awarded during the 2025-2026 school year represents an increase of approximately $8,500 over the previous year and demonstrates the power of community partnerships and philanthropic support. Together, we are helping students pursue their dreams, supporting employees in their professional growth, and investing in the future of Valdosta City Schools.
Follow the Valdosta City Schools Foundation Facebook and Instagram for photos and scholarship presentations throughout the year.