2025 Gordon M. and Roberta R. Payne Vocational & Teacher Scholarship Application

Mr. Gordon M. and Mrs. Roberta R. Payne Vocational and Teaching Scholarship

One Award - $1,000.00

Deadline - June 30, 2025

The Friends for Life Foundation, Incorporated (FFLF) is organized exclusively for the purposes of charitable, religious, educational, and scientific endeavors. Its purpose it to support quality of life improvement for the disadvantaged and to financially assist individuals and organizations in our community that enhance education, family, health, economic empowerment, and the arts. The FFLF is pleased to announce the availablity of our annual Vocational and Teaching (VOTE) Scholarship Award (for a student attending a technical or trade school or a program to become a teacher's assistant, teacher, educator, child care providers, paraprofessional, ETC.) to honor Mr. Gordon M. and Mrs. Roberta R. Payne, a brick mason and educator, respectively. One, $1,000.00 scholarship will be awarded based on academic achievement, leadership, and character. Applicants must meet all the eligibility requirements and the deadline to qualify. The selection process may include a virtual panel interview. The scholarship award will be paid directly to the technical school, trade school or teacher's assistant certification program on behalf of the student for tuition, fees, or books. The recipient will be recognized at the Friends for Life Foundation, Inc., Heart of Giving Luncheon in November 2025.

Eligibility for the scholarship:
- Male or female resident of North Fulton County, Georgia, or a 2025 Strands of Elegance Cotillion Debutante or Escort.
- High school graduate (up to age 25) or current high school senior with a minimum C average (2.0/4.0 scale). Include an official high school transcript or GED Certificate.
- Planning to attend or currently enrolled in trade school, technical school, or a program to become a teacher's assistant, teacher, child care provider, paraprofessional, etc. in 2025. Include an apporpriate letter of admission to a school or program.
- Provide 2 letters of recommendation from non-family members.
- Return all required documents (including a short personal statement) by the deadline of June 30, 2025.
The Gordon M. and Roberta R. Payne Vocational and Teaching Scholarship does not discriminate by age, race, color, national origin, disability, creed, or gender.

Many people don’t have the financial means or interest to dedicate four years to attend a “traditional” college or university.

An alternative to a “traditional” college or university is a vocational career or profession achieved by attending either a trade or technical school or college. Technical schools or colleges offer degrees and/or certifications in fields such as culinary arts, cosmetology, automotive technology, and many others. Trade schools are typically more focused on hands-on careers or trades such as masonry, plumbing, electricians, carpentry and many others.

Mr. Payne, Burnie, as he was often called, was a highly respected and skilled brick mason. Mrs. Payne, Bert, as she was often called, was a highly respected and well-loved schoolteacher who was known for her awesome cooking skills. Both Mr. and Mrs. Payne possesed a generous spirit of giving; spending countless hours serving those in their communities who needed a helping hand, providing temporary housing to family and non-family members, and most of all for delivering homecooked meals and cakes to anyone in need or who asked!

Ms. Vanessa J. Payne is the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Payne. Ms. Payne, a current member of the Friends For Foundation, is also a former CEO, Vice-President and Board Member of the Friends For Life Foundation, Incorporated. Ms. Payne is also a Life Member and Silver Star of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Phi Phi Omega Chapter, where she has served in many leadership positions including President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian. Ms. Payne obtained her Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Louisiana State University where she was also initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
In 2025, one - $1,000 Friends for Life Foundation, Inc. scholarship will be awarded to high school senior or current trade school student in memory of Mr. Gordon M. and Mrs. Roberta R. Payne.

APPLICANT INFORMATION
First NameLast Name
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Email
example@example.com
Cell Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
Date of Birth*

DayMonthYear
Date
Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
Name(s) of Parent(s) or Guardian(s) and email address

ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Name of High School/Name of Teaching Program or Trade School (if currently enrolled)
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Anticipated Graduation Date
Grade Point Average

COLLEGE INFORMATION
Name of the College, University, Teaching Program or Trade School You Plan to Attend
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Have You Applied?

YesNo
Have You Been Accepted?

YesNoPending Notification
Anticipated Major/Area of Study

STUDENT ACTIVITY INFORMATION
Please complete each section below (if additional space is needed, upload a separate document):
- Academic achievements (and dates received)
- Honors or Recognition (and dates received)
- School organizations (dates involved)
- Leadership roles: school, church, community (description and dates held)
- Community service activities (description and dates involved)

Please complete each section. Provide a list of organizations and leadership roles (school, church, or community). DO NOT BE MODEST! All information can be used by the Scholarship Committee during the selection process.

	Extra-Curricular Activity	Description	Leadership Position Held	Dates of Service
1
2
3
4
5

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Provide a list of community service activities in which you have participated (church groups, volunteer organizations, clubs, etc.).

	Community Service Activity	Description	Dates of Service
1
2
3
4
5

HONORS and RECOGNITION

List any honors and recognition received (Grades 9 - 12 or Post High School Graduation)

	Awards/Recognition	Grade(s)
1
2
3
4
5

ESSAY
Type and upload a one-page (200 to 400-word, single space, 12 pt. font) personal statement in which you tell the scholarship committee: Why receiving the Mr. Gordon M. and Mrs. Roberta R. Payne Vocational and Teaching Scholarship will be essential to your ability to achieve your goals?*

Browse Files

Cancelof

REQUIRED RULES FOR APPLICANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION PROCESS
In 2025, one - $1,000 Friends for Life Foundation, Inc. scholarship will be awarded to high school senior or current trade school student in memory of Mr. Gordon M. and Mrs. Roberta R. Payne.
Applicant's Signature*

Clear
Parent's Signature*

Clear
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION CHECKLIST
A completed application and ALL supporting documents MUST be received by the JUNE 30, 2025, APPLICATION DEADLINE to be considered for an award.
Applications must be typed. Before submitting your application, be sure the following items in the checklist have been provided:*

Scholarship Application ChecklistComplete Application Package – incomplete applications will not be consideredOfficial academic transcript from high school or GED CertificateEssay on the specified topicProof of acceptance at a college or current enrollmentTwo Recommendation Forms/Letters (from a church, high school or community leader that is NOT a relative)One recent photograph for use in Friends for Life’s publications and announcementRequired Rules document with the applicant and parent signaturesSigned Certification of Information form
UPLOAD SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Browse Files

Cancelof

CERTIFICATION OF INFORMATION
Those applicants meeting the established criteria may be required to participate in a virtual panel interview.

Friends for Life Foundation, Inc. reserves the right to eliminate any incomplete, unsigned, late, or illegible applications.

CERTIFICATION OF INFORMATION

By signing below, I certify that the information in this application and any accompanying documents are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I certify that my essay excluding any words not in quotation marks, or not cited regarding the source, are my own. If I am selected for a scholarship, I authorize release of biographical information and use of my photograph for use in publicity related to Friends for Life Foundation Inc.
Applicant Signature*

Clear
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
To be considered, your application MUST be submitted by JUNE 30, 2025. If you have questions, contact us at scholarships@friendsforlifega.org

RECOMMENDATION FORM
Download the Recommendation Form here and provide to the persons who will complete your recommendations - Two (2) recommendations are required. Have letters emailed by the recommender to scholarships@friendsforlifega.org by JUNE 30, 2025.
Today's Date*

DayMonthYear
Date
Should be Empty: