2017 Scholarship Recipient
Dominique A. Theodore is the daughter of Annite and David Theodore of Haiti. Dominique graduated from St. Georges Technical High School in Middletown, Delaware. During her last year in school she had the opportunity to work as an intern at A.I. DuPont Hospital. Last summer she spent a month with a youth group ministry that benefited the community. She is a freshman, Pre-Nursing Major at Delaware State University, and aspires to be a Physician Assistant. After graduation she would like to go to Haiti and help those in need of medical care. Dominique would also like to thank her mentors and extended family for encouragement and motivation over the years.
Indya Rennie is the eldest daughter of the Honorable Sheldon and Lesley Afeni Rennie. Her parents gave her a strong appreciation for her rich Trinidadian heritage, and taught her to explore other Caribbean cultures. Indya has been traveling internationally from since before her first birthday, and has visited eight Caribbean countries thus far. Her goal is to visit all the Caribbean islands. Indya recently graduated from high school, and is majoring in Government Policy at Liberty University. She is a published author, a speaker, writer, and teacher. Her interests also include music and apologetics. In addition, she enjoys volunteering for organizations that serve disadvantaged populations. She has served at an orphanage in Grenada, taught at a school in Anguilla, and mentors children with Down Syndrome here in Delaware, to name a few. Indya resides with her father, mother, and three siblings in Middletown, Delaware.
Amber Fontenelle is the daughter of Jacinta and Phillip Fontenelle of St. Lucia, who immigrated to the U.S. where they raised two older siblings (both college graduates). Amber was born in Newark, Delaware and is currently attending Cecil College in Maryland, majoring in Art and Design. She has a passion for animals, art and science. Most of her artwork incorporates animals. As an artist, she wants to use her artwork to share with the world the culture, traditions and beauty of the Caribbean islands; that one cannot see or know about from a resort or hotel. She dreams of the day when her artwork will assist in saving endangered species endemic to the islands. In her free time she enjoys playing video games, writing, drawing and listening to music.
Leanna Bahadur is the daughter of Nathalia Charlemagne and Ramroop Bahadur. A first generation American of a St. Lucian mother and Trinidadian father, she graduated in the top 25 from Appoquinimink High School in 2017 and is now attending University of Delaware. She is a student in the Nursing Program and aspires to work in the anesthesia department. Thanks to the direction, support, motivation, and prayers from her mother, Nathalia she excelled in school and was an honor roll student since third grade. She has completed over 150 hours of volunteer work at Christiana Hospital and is prepared to take on the challenges of college head on, and hopes to continue to honor her parents.
Shanice Griffith is a 2012 graduate of the University of Delaware where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She is also the recipient of a TTCAD Scholarship in 2008. Upon graduation, she began a ten-month service with the AmeriCorps program, Public Allies Delaware. During her term of service, she worked as the CHOICE Coach with Communities in Schools at EastSide Charter School. Communities In Schools is the nation’s leading drop-out prevention organization. While at EastSide, she developed and piloted an alternative to suspension program. Following her AmeriCorps service, she worked for the State of Delaware’s Division of Family Services. However, her time with the State was brief as she knew where her passion truly lied, within schools! In 2014, Shanice rejoined the Communities In Schools staff at William Penn High School. There she taught life skills, provided supportive guidance and developed meaningful programs for students. When the district decided to expand the program into a high needs middle school, Shanice was selected to be the Site Coordinator. In the past year and a half, the program at McCullough Middle School has grown tremendously! As the Site Coordinator, Shanice provides a number of services to the school community. She manages many programs to ensure that students’ basic needs are met. Also, she works with students one-on- one on educational and career goals. Most importantly, she builds relationships. Shanice has dedicated her career to supporting students on their path towards success. The value of education was instilled in her since childhood so it is only right that Shanice has found a special place to serve within the education system.
