Gala raise $1.1 million for scholarships
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

Bethel Baptist Church youth members Anquasia Johnson, Issac Jamison, Driu Rankin and Ashley Hemphill raise their glasses in a toast Thursday evening while attending an education gala for the United Negro College Fund. The formal event was held at the Palmetto Expo in Greenville.

The fifth annual education gala for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Thursday evening in Greenville raised $1.1 million for the state's historically black colleges.

Gaffney residents Rev. J.W. Sanders Jr. and Naomi Stanley served on the 2008 gala steering committee that planned the black tie affair held by the Upstate chapter of the UNCF.

About 850 people attended the event. Rhythm and blues singer Freddie Jackson provided the entertainment.

Profits from the event will provide scholarships to help educate the 8,000 students currently attending UNCF schools in South Carolina. The five UNCF member schools in South Carolina are Allen University, Benedict College, Claflin University, Morris College and Voorhees College.

Gaffney High senior Chars- Evlyn Littlejohn was among the Bethel Baptist Church youth who attended the fundraiser.

"I enjoyed it. I learned a lot more about the UNCF," Littlejohn said. "The UNCF is another option I can take a look at for scholarships."

For the past 60 years, the UNCF has provided financial support so minority students can attend a historically black college. The money allows the UNCF member schools to keep education affordable for financially disadvantaged students with tuition rates 54 percent lower than the tuition at comparable schools.

A student does not have to attend a historically black college to receive support from the UNCF. Scholarships from the organization can be provided to sponsor students who want to attend local schools such as Limestone College.

"The education gala will help these schools provide financial aid to students who would not ordinarily be able to attend," Stanley said. "A number of Cherokee County students have been able to attend college through the efforts of the UNCF."

National statistics show 60 percent of students supported with UNCF scholarships are the first in their families to attend college. Sixty-two percent of the students come from families with yearly incomes of less than $25,000.

Keynote speaker State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex said the educational opportunities provided by UNCF will play an important role in the future of today's young people.

"When a child doesn't succeed, a whole universe disappears. What I see missing in our state is a sense of urgency in making the changes that need to take place," Rex said. "Four years is a long time to wait, especially in the life of a child. If we don't educate our children in the beginning of this century, the United States won't be the dominant power at the end of this century."