Texarkana Gazette

Scholars invite public to attend S.O.A.R. celebratio­n

- By Aaron Brand

TEXARKANA, Texas — The Scholars invites the public to attend its S.O.A.R. 2020 Graduation Celebratio­n on Saturday at Spring Lake Park.

Graduates of high school and The Scholars program will be celebrated with a parade starting at 3 p.m. Social distancing will be practiced so people are asked to wear a mask.

This year’s Scholars graduates are Reagan

Spearman, who will attend Texarkana College; Kennedi Harris, who will attend Texarkana College; Felixsa Lewis, who will attend Prairie View A&M University; and Victoria Davis, who will attend The University of Texas at Arlington.

The non-profit Scholars organizati­on mentors youth ages 9 to 18 — “teaching them life skills and how to be entreprene­urs,” said the organizati­on’s president and co-founder Chiquita Burks.

Students gain skills and knowledge in the world of business and higher education. “We foster the academic, profession­al developmen­t of each of our Scholars,” Burks said. “To do so, we focus on the specific areas of building life skills, encouragin­g engagement in the arts, science, and community service and emphasizin­g the importance of history.”

Guiding principles include organized effectiven­ess, transparen­cy, consensus, collaborat­ion and organizati­onal cooperatio­n.

“We make a commitment to expose our youth to events, experience­s and places that will enhance, enlighten, and empower them,” Burks said. “It is our belief that the investment of quality time, the giving back to one’s community and the education of our youth is vital for our youth to succeed in today’s innovative and technologi­cal world.”

 ?? Submitted photo ?? ■ Scholars graduates are Reagan Spearman, Kennedi Felixsa Lewis and Victoria Davis.
Harris,
Submitted photo ■ Scholars graduates are Reagan Spearman, Kennedi Felixsa Lewis and Victoria Davis. Harris,

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