The PEARL Foundation, Incorporated
and
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
Rho Zeta Omega Chapter
2019-2020 Scholarship Application
The Scholarship Application submission deadline of Wednesday, February 26, 2020 has passed.
For additional information, contact the Scholarship Committee at pzoscholarship@gmail.com.
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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the first African-American Greek-letter sorority, was founded on a mission comprised of five basic tenets which have remained unchanged since our inception in 1908. The international sorority has grown to over 760 undergraduate and alumnae chapters focusing on academic excellence andcommunity service. Locally, the Rho Zeta Omega chapter serves the Cobb County/Marietta, Georgia community.
In keeping with one of our basic tenets which is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, the Rho Zeta Omega chapter along with its philanthropic arm, The PEARL Foundation, Inc., will offer several academic scholarships to advance the education of African American females who are graduating seniors of Cobb County or Marietta City high schools for the upcoming academic year.
There are TWO scholarship categories and multiple awards will be given, BUT an applicant is only eligible to receive one scholarship award, to be determined by the Scholarship Committee.
Interested students may apply for scholarships in one or both of the following categories:
1) The PEARL Foundation Scholarship
There will be multiple awards in this category. These scholarships will be awarded to applicants who
will attend ANY four-year college or university.
2) The Mae Carter Danzy Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded to an applicant who will attend a Historically Black College or
University. Mrs. Danzy was the person who led the vision of chartering Rho Zeta Omega in Cobb
County and served as the chapter’s first president. She was a proud graduate of Spelman College
(1970) and Clark Atlanta University (1972).
Applicants for both scholarships must meet the following criteria:
- Must be an African-American female who resides in Cobb County
- Must attend a Cobb County public or private high school or Marietta High School
- Must be in the graduating class of 2020
- Must be a United States Citizen
- Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Must have demonstrated leadership in the school and community
- Must have participated in community service projects
- Qualified applicants must participate in a panel interview in March 2020.
Applications must contain:
- Completed online application
- Resume
- Headshot
- High school transcript (uploaded by the school to pzoscholarship@gmail.com)
- ACT (composite score) and/or SAT (total score)
- Two letters of recommendation (completed by school official, church/community leader)
- Signed Acceptance Statement
- Signed Certifications page
- A 500-word essay on the topic (s) listed below. The essay must be double-spaced, using
- 12-point Times New Roman Font. If you are applying for both scholarships, you must submit two separate essays. An applicant is only eligible to receive one scholarship award, to be determined by the Scholarship Committee.
The PEARL Foundation, Inc. Scholarship Topic
(Choose One)
1. What is your definition of being "woke" in this current social climate? How can leaders encourage more social consciousness and activism in youth today?
2. You have been invited to a town hall held by leaders in your community to talk about the sex trafficking in Atlanta. Community leaders ask you for a plan of action to address the crisis. What is your plan of action? Why is it important to address the challenges of women and girls, especially black women and girls, in our community?
Mae Carter Dany HBCU Scholarship Topic
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have the distinction of affording African American students the opportunity to pursue higher education when virtually no other colleges in the United States would. Given the 21st century African American students now have the option to attend whichever college/university for which they meet admissions requirements, why do you believe HBCUs remain essential to preparing African American students for success?
A completed application and supporting materials must be uploaded by 11:59 pm,
Wednesday, February 26, 2020. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a Skills Development Workshop presented by Rho Zeta Omega Chapter scheduled for Saturday, February 1, 2020. Those who plan to attend must RSVP at pzoscholarship@gmail.com with your name and cell phone number no later than Saturday, January 25, 2020. More information on the workshop along with the time and location will be announced on our website in mid-December.
Gloria Nichols Angela Sumbry
President, The PEARL Foundation, Inc. President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Rho Zeta Omega Chapter