LOUISTANA BLACK ADVOCATES FOR LIFE

stand up. speak out. save lives. St. Landry Emerging Leaders 2025-2026 Scholarship Application

Mission of Louisiana Black Advocates for Life

Louisiana Black Advocates for Life seeks to encourage the meaningful participation of members of the Black community in the process of building and maintaining a culture of life in the State of Louisiana. We aim to reduce the high rate of abortion among Black women through providing empowering education, access to tangible resources, and cultivation of community support networks. Through cultivating partnerships with churches, schools, community groups, and the people of Louisiana, we will build a movement that will strengthen the Louisiana black community for life.

St. Landry Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program Black Advocates for Life was founded to address the critical need for greater involvement of the Black community in pro-life advocacy efforts. We believe that creating a long-term and sustainable culture of life begins with developing and supporting the skills, character and ambitions of young community members. Black Advocates for Life Emerging Leaders Scholarships are designed to create opportunity for talented Black students to access a quality, Christian-focused education that will lead to the development of:

School and community leaders Pro-life advocates for the born and unborn

Social justice influencers and leaders

Scholarship Amounts Scholarships up to $4,000 per year per student are funded for use toward tuition or other directly related expenses related to matriculation at Opelousas Catholic High School, or the Schools of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, LA. The goal is to have four Emerging Leaders at a time, one in each high school grade level (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior The scholars could be divided between various schools. This is subject to change depending on the applications received. Scholarship Eligibility Applicant must be a resident of St. Landry or surrounding parish, and in good academic standing at current school.

Applicant must be a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas. Applicant must have evidence of at least provisional acceptance to the high school, or be currently enrolled and in good standing. Applicant must have demonstrated the ability to do well in an academic setting. Applicant must demonstrate through past efforts or through written application a pro-life ethic, including opposition to abortion and a commitment to being involved in pro-life and social justice efforts. While we encourage applicants to demonstrate past involvement in pro-life activities, that is not necessary. However, all participants must commit to a pro-life ethic on abortion and other issues and be willing to participate in pro-life efforts.

Expectations of an Emerging Leader Scholarship Recipient Emerging Leader Recipients are expected to maintain a good academic and disciplinary standing during the year Emerging Leader Recipients are expected to complete 20 hours of pro-life community service and involvement over the course of their school year. This community service

can include but is not limited to:

Involvement in pro-life activities and/or your pro-life club at your school. Activities

can include but are not limited to:

Organizing and/or participating in collection drives for baby and mother supplies or other materials to support local efforts Organizing and/or participating in educational events to help educate fellow students and community members on life issues Holding awareness events such as Life Chains, outside displays, and

Volunteering at local pro-life pregnancy help centers or other organizations. Participation in pro-life events, such as local, state, and national marches, Pulse Pro-Life Immersions, pregnancy center fundraisers and events, conferences,

Emerging Leader Scholarship Renewal Recipients of the Emerging Leaders Scholarship will be required to complete a renewal application near the completion of their school year. A meeting with a Louisiana Black Advocates for Life representative may also be required. Emerging Leaders must present their academic record along with their involvement in pro-life activities. An Initial Completed Application will include: Completed Application School transcript Student essay Two (2) letters of recommendation - may be from a teacher, counselor, church leader, or community leader who knows the student's character, community involvement and potential for success in school and the community.

An application may be obtained by downloading from www.LaBlackAdvocates.com/emergingleaders or requested from Tara Wicker at trinity@lablackadvocates.com or 225-610-6827. Applications can be requested in writing to Louisiana Black Advocates for Life 450 Laurel Street, Ste 140, Baton Rouge, LA 70801 Applications may also be requested in person at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church parish office during business hours.

Applications and all required documents must be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered for that semester. Any application received after the deadline will not be considered, and will need to be resubmitted for the following semester.

Black Advocates for Life Emerging Leaders Scholarship Application

Please feel free to use additional paper to answer any of the questions below.

My signature on this application certifies that all information I have provided is true and correct. I understand that false or misleading information will result in the disqualification of my application from consideration for the scholarship.