The Alan and Mary Jo Lincoln Scholarship program, presented by Riverside Sales Group, LLC, awarded its 2023 scholarship to Ms. Chelsea Mendes. Ms. Mendes graduated in May 2023 with a 5.0 weighted GPA from Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, FL, and will attend Spelman College in the fall. She received an award of $1,500 to support her studies.
Applicants for the scholarship are graduating African American high school seniors who plan to attend college or trade school full-time. Applicants must have maintained a minimum 2.5 GPA and demonstrated leadership by engaging in school and community activities. Mr. and Mrs. Alan and Mary Jo Lincoln believe in supporting the educational advancement of future African-American leaders and are committed to alleviating part of the financial burden of college/trade school attendance.
Ms. Mendes maintained a packed and impressive schedule during her time at Dr. Phillips as a member of many student clubs and honor societies, as the Vice President of the National Honor English Honor Society and Business Academy, the President of Future Business Leaders of America, and French National Honor Society, and Fundraising Committee Lead of her school’s Magnet International Council.
Ms. Mendes’ community commitments are just as admirable. During the pandemic lockdown, she started a podcast titled “A Mental Health Break Down,” where she independently booked and interviewed experts on topics such as politics, education, health, and mental wellness. After interviewing and impressing the Program Manager of The Child Neurology Foundation, she was invited and accepted a role as a member of the Foundation’s Transition Project Advisory Committee, the youngest serving member to date. By her senior year, Chelsea was elected President of the Ocoee (FL) Youth Council, District 15 Treasurer for FBLA, Los Angeles Lead Toastmasters Youth Leader, and earned a spot on the President’s Honor Roll.
Ms. Mendes was also honored among the 2023 Women of the Year by Orlando Magazine, named a Bank of America student leader in 2022, and was previously chosen by former First Lady Michelle Obama to attend the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Conference.
Ms. Mendes’ career goal is to earn her Juris Doctorate before the age of 21 and work professionally in Intellectual Property law. Ultimately, she hopes to serve as Governor of her home state of Florida “to reverse the damage our current administration is causing through legislation toward BIPOC communities.”
We at Riverside Sales Group and Urban Media Today do not doubt that Ms. Mendes will continue on her path of excellence. Congratulations, Chelsea!
Photo courtesy of Ms. Chelsea Mendes