Mr. Gordon M. and Mrs. Roberta R. Payne Vocational Scholarship
One Award - $1,000.00
Deadline - May 31, 2024
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 first annual Vocational Scholarship Award (for a student attending a technical or trade school) 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 college 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 2024.
Eligibility for the scholarship:
- African American male or female resident of North Fulton County, Georgia, or a 2024 Strands of Elegance Cotillion Debutante or Escort.
- High school graduate (up to age 21) 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 or technical school in 2024. Include letter of admission or satisfactory at a trade or technical school.
- Provide 2 letters of recommendation from non-family members.
- Return all required documents (including a short personal statement) by the deadline of May 31, 2024.
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.