Project Discovery Scholarship Application2 -- 2026

Application Period February 23 - March 27, 2026
Your Name*

First NameMiddle NameLast Name
Overview

These scholarships were established to reward qualified students in the Project Discovery of Alexandria Program who have demonstrated leadership skills, performed well academically, and made positive contributions to their community.

There are three (3) available scholarships. This application is used for all.

FOR SENIORS:

1). The Lougenia M. Williams Senior Scholarhip is available for all graduating seniors who are currently members of the Project Discovery of Alexandria Program.

2). The Natalie S. Vaughn Scholarship is available for graduating seniors in the Project Discovery of Alexandria Program who intend to pursue a Bachelor of Arts or Liberal Arts Degree.

FOR ALUMNI:

3). The Project Discovery of Alexandria Alumni Scholarship is available for former members of the Project Discovery of Alexandria Program who are currently in college or trade school.

Scholarship Awards
- The Project Discovery of Alexandria Program Senior Scholarship $5,000.00
- The Project Discovery of Alexandria Alumni Program Scholarship $2,500.00
- The Natalie S. Vaughn Scholarship $500.00
General Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:
- Be a graduating senior at Alexandria City High School
- Be a current member of the Project Discovery of Alexandria Program
- Be accepted at any accredited technical school, trade school, 2-year degree program or 4-year degree program as a full-time student in the Fall of 2025
- Attend the award ceremony (potentially virtual) if selected for an award
- Submit a letter of recommendation
For Natalie S. Vaughn Scholarship:

The Natalie S. Vaughn Scholarship -- Students majoring in Bachelor of Arts or Liberal Arts.

Specifically, applicants must:
- Follow Directions -- Supply background and requested information
- Document Involvement in Project Discovery of Alexandria Programs, Tours, Workshops & Other Sessions
- Document Achievements/Honors & Awards
- Document Service in the Community and/or Employment History)
- Upload Your Photograph (Headshot View)
- Upload Your Transcript "Most Recent Semester"
- Upload a Signed Media Release (Included in Online Application)
- Upload Your Essay (Completed According to Directions)
Students must also be prepared to attend the awards ceremony and give back to Project Discovery of Alexandria.

Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Which Scholarship(s) Are You Applying For?
Check all that apply*

The Lougenia M. Williams Senior ScholarshipThe Project Discovery of Alexandria Alumni ScholarshipThe Natalie Vaughn Scholarship (Students Majoring in Liberal Arts)

Section I. -- Background Information
Your Email Address*
example@example.com
Address Line 1*
Address Line 2
City*
State*
Zip*
Contact Number*

Your Date of Birth*
Month-Day-Year
Gender*

MaleFemalePrefer Not to Answer
Your Age*
Are you the first to attend college in your family (first-generation student)?*

YesNo
Are you a previous recipient of a Project Discovery Alexandria Scholarship?*

YesNo
Year you Joined Project Discovery Alexandria?*

Section II. -- Current School Information
School Name*
What is the name of the school or college you attend?
School Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry

Section III. -- Graduation Plans
What grades have you participated in Project Discovery Alexandria?*

9th Grade10th Grade11th Grade12th Grade
Anticipated Graduation Date from High School or College*
Month-Day-Year
Your Current GPA*
Have you been accepted into a college or university? If yes, complete next question. If no skip next question. If you have been accepted into a college, please list the one you plan to attend.

YesNo
College or University You Have Been Accepted? For Alumni Applicants, what College or University are you currently attending?
Name of College or University
Section IV. -- College Visits/Tours with PDA
If you are an alumni applicant, check Not Applicable

Not Applicable

College or University Tour #1
Date
College or University Tour #2
Date
College or University Tour #3
Date
College or University Tour #4
Date
College or University Tour #5
Date

Section V. -- PDA Club Meetings Attended
1. Meeting *

DateName/Topic of Meeting
2. Meeting *

DateName/Topic of Meeting
3. Meeting

DateName/Topic of Meeting
4. Meeting

DateName/Topic of Meeting
5. Meeting

DateName/Topic of Meeting
6. Meeting

DateName/Topic of Meeting
7. Meeting

DateName/Topic of Meeting

Section VI. -- WORK/VOLUNTEER/RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

List and describe your work experiences. Include leadership positions held and length of time in leadership role(s).
Not Applicable (NA)
1. Work/Organization #1

NameOffice HeldDates
Describe Duties and Responsibilities for Job #1
2. Work Organization #2

NameOffice HeldDates
Describe Duties and Responsibilities for Job #2
3. Work Organization #3

NameOffice HeldDates
Describe Duties and Responsibilities for Job #3
4. Work Organization #4

NameOffice HeldDates
Describe Duties and Responsibilities for Job #4
5. Work Organization #5

NameOffice HeldDates
Describe Duties and Responsibilities for Job #5
Describe Any Volunteer Activities You Think Should be Considered

Section VII. -- Honors & Awards Received

Include Scholarships
Not Applicable (NA)
1

Honor/AwardsDates Received Organization
2

Honor/AwardsDates Received Organization
3

Honor/AwardsDates Received Organization
4

Honor/AwardsDates Received Organization
5

Honor/AwardsDates Received Organization

Section VIII. -- Essay Guidelines

Please review the guidelines for completing the essay. The Essay is a separate upload. Upload in the "Uploads Section" of this application.
The essay should be 200-400 words in response to the topic below.

Exceeding the word count limit will disqualify your application.

Senior Essay

Describe the major you intend to study and how you hope to use your education to support you in achieving your passions and goals.

Alumni Essay Question

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later succcess. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

The illustration below is a suggested format.
Additional Source: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/category/writing-tips

This is a source that may be helpful in writing all types of essays.

Section IX. -- Uploads
Upload Photograph (Head Shot)*

Cancelof
Upload Your Transcript (Can Be Uploaded or Emailed to: FriendsofPDAlex@gmail.com)

Cancelof
Letters of Recommendation Should be sent to friendsofpdalex@gmail.com

Cancelof
Upload Essay-- Please follow directions*

Cancelof
If you have received a college acceptance letter, upload it here

Cancelof

Section X. -- MEDIA RELEASE
Your Typed Name*

First NameLast Name
Your Signature *
Parent or Guardian's Typed Name (If student is under the age of 18).*

First NameLast Name
Parent or Guardian's Signature (If Applicable)
I hereby consent to the participation in interviews, the use of quotes, and the taking of photographs, movies or video tapes of the student named above by Project Discovery of Alexandria.

I give permission to use my name, comments, picture, essay or photography for public relations, advertising or any other lawful purposes, and I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished version(s) including written copy that may be created in conjunction therewith. I understand that information from my scholarship application will not be shared with any third party outside of the Project Discovery of Alexandria organization.

I also grant to Project Discovery of Alexandria the right to edit, use, and reuse said products for non-profit purposes including use in print, on the internet, and all other forms of media. I also hereby release Project Discovery of Alexandria and its members from all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever in connection with the above.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY: The Project Discovery of Alexandria program encourages individuals of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to individuals applying for scholarships. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the disbursement of any scholarship award.
Section XI. -- SIGNATURE
I have met all requirements as outlined and acknowledgee that any misrepresentation of the information presented, and or failure to comply with the requirements and rules, may be grounds to rescind the scholarship award.

I also agree to inform the scholarship committee of any significnt changes to the information submitted.

The information provided for this application is true to the best of my knowledge and I understand that any misrepresentation will be grounds for immediate disqualification from receiving this award.

My goal is to enter a post-secondary institution full-time.
Your Typed Name*
Type Your Name
Applicant's Signature *
Type Parent's Name*
Your Parent or Guardian's Name if You are Under 18 Years of Age.
Parent's email address*
example@example.com
Parent's Contact Number*
Parent or Guardian's Signature *
Date of Your Submission

MonthDayYear

PDA Advisory Board
Current Project Discovery of Alexandria Members

Bruce Milton, Chair

Cassandra Chess, Vice Chair

DeVonne Batts

Annette Bridges

Cherie Brown

Shawna Gary

Iburia Hall-Haynes, Ph.D.

Virgil Hightower

Shaye Nelson

Judith Vaughn

City Staff Members

Noraine Buttar, Chief of Youth Development

Jennifer Ford, Secondary Schools Program Coordinator, &

Alicia Washington, Youth Development Specialist

For technical support with this application,

Contact Iburia Hall-Haynes, Ph.D., Education Consultant & Web Administrator

iburiahaynes@aol.com
PRINT YOUR APPLICATION PRIOR TO SUBMISSION
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

For questions regarding the applicaion, please contact:FriendsofPDAlex@gmail.com

For technical problems associated with this form, please email:

Iburia Hall-Haynes, Ph.D., Education Consultant -- iburiahaynes@aol.com

Should be Empty:

Application Period February 23 - March 27, 2026

Which Scholarship(s) Are You Applying For?

Section I. -- Background Information

Section II. -- Current School Information

Section III. -- Graduation Plans

Section IV. -- College Visits/Tours with PDA

Section V. -- PDA Club Meetings Attended

Section VII. -- Honors & Awards Received

Section VIII. -- Essay Guidelines

Section IX. -- Uploads

Section X. -- MEDIA RELEASE

Section XI. -- SIGNATURE

PDA Advisory Board