Trio of Beaver Falls students earn Beaver County NAACP scholarships
BEAVER FALLS — Thanks to sparkling 4.0+ GPAs and an extensive list of extracurricular activities, a trio of Beaver Falls High School Class of 2022 graduates earned $1,000 scholarships from the Beaver County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
The Beaver County chapter of the NAACP, which received donations from West Air-Comm Federal Credit Union and Pittsburgh International Airport to fund the scholarships, awarded the $1,000 scholarships to Jada N. Beauford, Dominic Marcus Quinones and Danielle S. Gibson.
All three students recorded 4.0+ GPAs at Beaver Falls High School and were active in the community outside of the classroom in athletics and other organizations.
The NAACP is a civil rights organization in the United States and was formed in 1909 in New York City as an interracial endeavor to advance justice for African Americans by a group including W. E. B. Du Bois, Mary White Ovington, Moorfield Storey and Ida B. Wells.
Beauford, the daughter of Nicole Paparella and Durrell Beauford, is the oldest of five children and will be the first-generation student to attend college, heading to the University of Kentucky, where she will major in the pre-med program in Lexington. Beauford competed in various varsity sports for the Tigers, volunteered in her community throughout the years, and was a member of the National Honor Society during her time in high school.
Beauford was also named prom queen as a junior.
Quinones, the son of Cliff and Amy Quinones of New Galilee, graduated from Beaver Falls High School with the highest honors. Quinones was a member of the varsity bowling team, and was an active member of Bible and STEM clubs. He will attend Robert Morris University in the fall, majoring in engineering.
Gibson, the daughter of Randi and Daniel Gibson, earned a 4.46 GPA at Beaver Falls High School. During her time in high school, Gibson participated in the Academic Games, Band, and the Leo, Bible, Art and Law clubs at Beaver Falls High School. She also served as a Conservation Ambassador and volunteers in her church and community. Gibson will attend Allegheny College to study pre-law and is interested in the Constitution and civil rights litigation.
The Beaver County chapter of the NAACP would like to thank Beaver Falls School District Superintendent Donna Nugent, teachers, and guidance counselors in choosing Beauford, Quinones and Gibson for the awarding of the scholarships due to their exceptional academic performances, sports participation, and involvement in civic and community activities.
"We would be remiss if we did not recognize the parents of these students, as we believe greatness begins at home," Beaver County NAACP President Mtume Imani said in a press release announcing the scholarship winners. "Our prayers and best wishes follow these three outstanding students as they make their mark for a better Beaver County and a better America."
Contact Joshua Carney at jcarney@gannett.com or 724-681-9136. Follow Joshua on Twitter: @ByJoshCarney.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Trio of Beaver Falls students earn Beaver County NAACP scholarships
