Omegas of Spartanburg grant 5 scholarships. Recipients talk motivation, plans for college.

Joanna Johnson, Herald-Journal
·3 min read

A Spartanburg fraternity is providing scholarships to help Upstate students pay for college expenses.

The Epsilon Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi awarded five scholarships totaling $1,000 each to graduating seniors attending college this fall. The scholarships were awarded during a program on Wednesday, July 20 at the Spartanburg Philanthropy Center.

Claude Booker, a Spartanburg native and founder of Soul Food Starters and member of Omega Psi Phi, funds the scholarships for students.

"Follow your passion and remember that this is a village," Booker said as words of encouragement. "This village of Spartanburg is always supporting."

The Omegas of Spartanburg is a nonprofit organization consisting of more than 100 professional men. The chapter has served the community since 1967 and has granted more than $200,000 in scholarships to students.

The Omegas of Spartanburg, a local non-profit organization of over 100 professional men, give scholarships to five students, including Cortez Dawkins, center, at their meeting held at the Spartanburg Philanthropy Center, Wednesday evening, July 20, 2022. The organization has given over $200,000 in scholarships and donations throughout the Spartanburg community and have mentoring, athletic, and community outreach programs.

Here are the five students who were awarded scholarships:

►Maxwell Booker

Maxwell Booker is a presidential scholar who graduated from Spartanburg High School with a GPA of 5.5. Booker will attend Harvard University in the fall.

"I'm looking forward to new experiences. Me going to a place with a lot of different people with a lot of different passions," Booker said. "Going away from home is big for my college experience and I'm excited to check out Boston and see what the bigger world has for me."

Booker advises students to try as many things as you can and gain experiences to build your skills to find your passions.

Maxwell Booker talks about his college plans at the Spartanburg Philanthropy Center, Wednesday evening, July 20, 2022.
Maxwell Booker talks about his college plans at the Spartanburg Philanthropy Center, Wednesday evening, July 20, 2022.

►Cortez Dawkins

Cortez Dawkins is a graduate of Gaffney High School with a GPA of 4.8. He will attend the University of South Carolina Upstate, where he plans to major in nursing.

Dawkins was a member of the BETA Club, National Technical Honors Society and was captain of his school's varsity basketball team.

"My parents and my family are what motivated me to strive and be the best version of me that I can be," Dawkins said. "I'm excited [about college] because it's a big change but I like change because it keeps life exciting."

Jylan Miller, a graduate of Dorman High School, plans to attend North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina and major in psychology.
Jylan Miller, a graduate of Dorman High School, plans to attend North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina and major in psychology.

►Jylan Miller

Jylan Miller is a graduate of Dorman High School where he was a member of the marching band. Miller graduated with a GPA of 3.8 and will attend North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, North Carolina and major in psychology.

Miller was a member of the National Technical Honors Society, National Ranked Indoor Drumline and BETA Club.

"I wanted to do something good and exciting with my life. I want to be a part of the band there," Miller said.

Jervaris Rice graduated from Spartanburg High School and will attend the University of South Carolina Upstate and major in business.
Jervaris Rice graduated from Spartanburg High School and will attend the University of South Carolina Upstate and major in business.

►Jervaris Rice

Jervaris Rice is a graduate of Spartanburg High School with a GPA of 4.6. Rice will attend USC Upstate and major in business.

Rice participated in varsity football, basketball and track. He was a member of Tiger Alliance, National Honors Society, Student Improvement Council, Student Council and National Band Club.

"I did it for my parents," Rice said. "I always wanted to make it easy for them to send me to college. I didn't want them to have to pay for me and I wanted to do it on my own. I'm looking forward to becoming my own man and becoming my own person."

Javier Watson is a graduate of Spartanburg High School and will attend Averett University in Danville, Virginia, and major in business management.
Javier Watson is a graduate of Spartanburg High School and will attend Averett University in Danville, Virginia, and major in business management.

►Javier Watson

Javier Watson is a graduate of Spartanburg High School with a GPA of 3.6. Watson will attend Averett University in Danville, Virginia and major in business management.

Watson was a member of the varsity football, basketball and track team. He also was a member of the Gifted and Talented Program.

"I was the man of the house and having younger siblings, I wanted them to have someone to look up to," Watson said. "If I had a high B, my mom knew I could do better. Even though it got harder, I stayed with it."

Joanna Johnson covers education and community news for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Reach her via email at jjohnson@shj.com. 

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: The Omegas of Spartanburg gave $1,000 scholarship to local students