The Atlantic Region of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. awards nearly $30,000 in scholarships with support from Macy’s

Members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.’s Atlantic Region on Thursday presented scholarships to two college freshman and four Zetas pursuing advanced degrees during the opening ceremony of their 59th Atlantic Regional Leadership conference. Named to honor two of the founders of this historically Black women’s service organization, the individual awards ranged from $3,000 to $10,000 and embody one of the organization’s core ideals.

“Zeta’s first principle is scholarship. We’re known for high scholastic achievement and financially supporting people pursuing college and advanced degrees,” said Gina Merritt-Epps, Zeta’s Atlantic regional director.

For that, Emerson Tiwang, a Princeton University freshman majoring in computer science, is grateful. He earned the first-place, $10,000 “Myrtle Tyler Faithful Scholarship.”

“It means that I’m one step closer going to school for free,” he said. “This money allows me to focus on my education. … and not have to worry about money.”

And, thanks to a grant from Macy’s, Zeta awarded Natalia Amado, a freshman computer engineering major at Syracuse University, the second-place, $5,000 “Myrtle Tyler Faithful Scholarship.”

“It was a life changing experience, honestly … I was struggling to find financial aid,” she said of the award. “When I won this, I just felt relieved.”

Valerie Hollingsworth Baker, international president of Zeta Phi Beta, was on hand for the award presentation.

The organization also awarded four, $3,000 “Arizona Cleaver Stemons Scholarships” to Zetas from the Atlantic Region. They are:

Monifa Morgan, who is seeking an MBA in Finance; Janice Drakeford who is seeking a doctorate in Community College Leadership; Jasmine Marshall Butler, who is seeking a doctorate in Education, Culture and Society and Tjwana Dennis who is seeking a Doctor of Nursing Practice.