By Keely Baribeau
In 2005, a group of Memphis High School alumni—primarily from the graduating classes of the 1950s and ’60s—organized a school reunion. That event sparked something bigger: a renewed excitement to support the Memphis Alumni Scholarship Fund to help Memphis graduates as they begin their next chapter.
One of the original members of the alumni group, Hildred Lewis (Class of ’62), remembers why he got involved. “I received support from the community during my high school days, in my first couple of summers in college, and even a helping hand after college graduation. I figured it was my turn to repay some of the help I received.”
Lewis, one of nine children, moved to Memphis at age nine. After graduating from Memphis High School third in his class and earning 14 varsity letters, he went on to be a 4-year starter on the football team and the #1 miler at Eastern Michigan University. Thus, becoming an All-American half-miler, an NFL farm team player, and eventually an EMU Athletics Hall of Famer.
At EMU, Lewis also served as Director of Project Upward Bound, helping high school students prepare for post-secondary education. “A support program of any kind increases the percentage of individuals who complete their post-secondary education. Knowing that there are individuals who have gone out of their way to give you a helping hand, helps a person believe in themselves more and [inspires one to] work hard and not to let yourself or them down.”
A Growing Legacy of Support
Since its founding 20 years ago, the Memphis Alumni Scholarship Fund has granted $20,400 in scholarships to local students.
“The cost of post-secondary education continues to climb at an unprecedented pace, putting college dreams out of reach for too many students,” said Jessica Flann, Program Officer for Post-Secondary Success at the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.
“Scholarships are more than financial aid in that they are lifelines that help students overcome the very real barriers to achieving their goals… Thanks to the generosity of our donors, our scholarship funds can bridge these gaps, ensuring students not only enroll but also persist and graduate.”
The fund is a true community effort. “Various individuals and groups in the Memphis School system and community… worked behind the scenes to help individuals prepare financially,” Lewis said. He also emphasized the closeness of the Memphis alumni community: “In some places, people might not even know everyone in their graduating class. In Memphis, you definitely did. You not only knew your classmates, you knew their siblings and families… I had some great classmates and teammates whose friendships have definitely stood the test of time. [They] in many cases are almost like additional family members.”
To date, 14 Memphis graduates have benefited from the scholarship fund, and recent recipient Brynne Lemanski (Class of 2023) shared, “This scholarship has not only relieved me of financial worries but has also served as a reminder of the unwavering support and belief that others have in my abilities.”
“This is such an amazing opportunity and I’m so honored and blessed to have been picked for this scholarship! Your generosity will go a long way to help further my college education. I am so beyond thankful.” Lauren will attend Lawrence Tech on a bowling scholarship,” Lauren Castillo (Class of 2024)
Community Foundation staff work to create moments of connection with students to help remove the fear from the application process and help students know that the Community Foundation staff is present, approachable, and ready to guide students toward their goals.
A $10,000 Match – Double Your Impact
The Memphis Alumni Scholarship Fund is in a growth phase with a clear goal: to reach $100,000 so it can support more students every year. To accelerate progress, a generous donor has provided a $10,000 dollar-for-dollar match that is available through the end of this year.
That means every gift made now will be doubled, making this the perfect moment for Memphis alumni and friends to give back.
How to Give Back
Supporting the Memphis Alumni Scholarship Fund is simple through the Community Foundation, which manages the scholarship. Gifts can be made today, and alumni are also encouraged to consider Legacy Gift Planning as a lasting way to support future generations.
If you would like to join fellow alumni in doubling your impact, use the button below to make your gift to the Memphis Alumni Scholarship Fund.
Together, Memphis alumni can help ensure the next generation of students have the support they need to pursue their dreams—and with the $10,000 match in place, there’s no better time to give.