Each year, Eta Nu Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Brooklyn and Queens awards book scholarships through its charitable arm, the Seven Roses Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization. Book scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors from Brooklyn and Queens who attend public and private schools, and plan to pursue higher education in community colleges, four-year colleges and trade schools. Applicants are required to write a 4-page essay based on an essay prompt, provide a letter of recommendation, resume and official high school transcript.
We are pleased to announce this year’s winners:
1st Place Award Winner – $1,000 Book Scholarship
Chevaz Thomas is a senior at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School where he is a member of Arista (National Honor Society), advanced jazz band, and serves as house leader where he’s responsible for mentoring, tutoring and providing conflict resolution, all of this in addition to taking Advanced Placement classes. Outside of school he participates in Achieving Leadership’s Purpose, an organization that prepares high school students for a lifetime of civil leadership and global awareness. Chevaz has an 88 average and has attended Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School on a full academic scholarship. He plans to attend Morehouse College where he’ll major in pre-medical studies with a focus in biology. Janelle Edwards, Chevaz’s program coordinator at Achieving Leadership’s Purpose, says, “Though Chevaz has many academic achievements and extracurricular commitments, he has participated and coordinated service opportunities for his peers and continues to volunteer his time for park clean-up events, at food pantries, and tutors. Despite having multiple leadership responsibilities, Chevaz has never defaulted. He always fulfilled his required responsibilities as well as exceeded expectations.”
2nd Place Award Winner – $750 Book Scholarship
Genesis Bonds is a senior at Bronx High School of Science where she is a member of Arista (National Honor Society), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and is part of student government, having served as president of both her 9th and 10th grade classes and has been part of the Principal’s Advisory Board since her freshman year. Genesis takes Advanced Placement classes and has a 3.75 GPA. Outside of school, she has participated in numerous local and national community service projects through her involvement in the Queens Chapter of Jack and Jill of America. She plans to attend Duke University and double-major in chemical and electrical engineering. Nora Barmess, Genesis’ guidance counselor, says, “Quality is not hard to spot in a student like Genesis Bonds, and no letter that I could ever write would begin to do her justice. She is the whole package: intellectually curious, extremely involved in the school community, and a truly generous person.”
3rd Place Award Winner – $500 Book Scholarship
Turquoise Brown is a senior at Townsend Harris High School where she is a member of Arista (National Honor Society), the drama club, and varsity basketball team. Outside of school, she has volunteered to raise money and awareness for the AIDS Walk, Thirty Hours Famine, and Public Colors. Turquoise takes Advanced Placement classes and has a 90 average. She plans to attend Johnson & Wales University and major in hospitality management. Dr. Linda K. Steinmann, Turquoise’s humanities teacher and adviser, says, “Turquoise’s strengths come out in group work where her contributions provide a necessary impetus to her group’s understanding and performance. Turquoise is truly a team player who works quietly in the background to make sure that her group performs at their highest level.”
