Local Graduate Receives Rosa Parks Scholarship

Graduates celebrating their achievements at the Rosa Parks Scholarship awards ceremony.

News Summary

Anaka Armstrong, an 18-year-old graduate from East Kentwood High School, has been awarded a $2,500 scholarship from the Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation. Recognized for her dedication to community service and resilience, Armstrong plans to use the funds for her studies at Alabama State University, where she aims to become an occupational therapist. This year, the foundation awarded 33 scholarships from over 230 applicants and has granted more than $2.5 million since its inception in 1980. The annual awards luncheon is set to honor students and celebrate the foundation’s impact on young leaders.

Caledonia – Anaka Armstrong, an 18-year-old graduate from East Kentwood High School, has been awarded a scholarship from the Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation, recognizing her commitment to values such as resilience and community service. The scholarship, worth $2,500, is intended for students pursuing higher education and aligns with the foundation’s mission to honor the legacy of civil rights leader Rosa Parks.

Armstrong has expressed immense excitement about receiving the scholarship, which she views as a validation of her hard work throughout her high school years. The scholarship is especially significant to her and her family because it originates from Detroit, where her father was raised. Armstrong plans to utilize the funds to support her studies at Alabama State University, where she aims to become an occupational therapist. The financial support provided by the scholarship will assist her in managing tuition and other educational expenses.

This year, the Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation awarded 33 scholarships from over 230 applicants. Since its establishment in 1980, the foundation has disbursed more than $2.5 million in scholarships to over 1,300 high-achieving Michigan students. Each scholarship is designed to support students’ first-year college expenses, including tuition, books, and fees. Preference is given to need-based applicants, but the program is open to all Michigan high school seniors.

In addition to the monetary award, winners of the Rosa Parks Scholarship may also apply for two available paid summer internships at The Detroit News. This provides further opportunities for students to gain work experience and engage in community service, which reflects the principles embodied by Rosa Parks.

The 45th annual Rosa Parks Scholarship awards luncheon, where students like Armstrong are honored, is scheduled to take place on November 1 at The Henry Ford. This year’s event will celebrate the foundation’s achievements and feature the inaugural scholarship awarded in memory of Luther Keith, a respected journalist and community leader in Detroit. Additionally, the event will pay tribute to Karla McKanders, the director of the Thurgood Marshall Institute. Scholarships sponsored by BrassCraft Manufacturing Company will also be presented to four additional students during the ceremony.

Each year, Michigan high school seniors are invited to apply for the Rosa Parks Scholarship by submitting their applications before the March 1 deadline. The application process requires students to write an essay on a contemporary social issue, reflecting on how they would address the issue using the principles championed by Rosa Parks and her legacy of social justice.

The Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation is dedicated to recognizing and nurturing future leaders who embody the spirit of community involvement and perseverance. Armstrong’s achievement is not just a personal milestone but also a testament to the impact of the foundation in empowering young individuals to pursue their educational and career ambitions.