Career Compass of Louisiana and the Boo Grigsby Foundation are proud to introduce our graduating class of eight Boo Grigsby Foundation Scholars, who graduated in December 2017 or will do so this month.
Since 2009, Career Compass has administered the Boo Grigsby Foundation Scholarship to support disadvantaged students achieve their dreams of attending post-secondary education. The Boo Grigsby Foundation Scholarship Program has produced 41 college graduates, and has transformed the lives of 89 Greater Baton Rouge area students who would not have otherwise been able to attend college.
Each scholar of this year's graduating class has a unique academic background, personal history, and set of circumstances. However, the scholars share key characteristics that have made them successful – tenacity, courage, and optimism. Despite the obstacles our scholars have faced, they continue to dream big and achieve their goals. From high school until the present, we have watched these young women and men become scientists, health care workers, communications professionals, and community service leaders.
Raven Nichols and Joy Rucker are graduating from Louisiana State University (LSU). Raven is majoring in Print Journalism and minoring in English. Joy has a daughter and recently married; she is currently working full-time and planning to return to LSU to pursue a master’s in Human Resource and Workforce Development.
Jordan Stewart and Meaghan Overstreet are graduating from Southern University and A&M College – Jordan is majoring in in Mass Communication with a concentration in public relations and will continue studying public administration. Meaghan is majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and is planning to be a laboratory technician.
Kia Roybiskie and Gill Jasmine are graduating from Nicholls State University – Kia is majoring in Nursing and will take her boards to become a registered nurse, while Gill is majoring in Psychology and will work towards a master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Jade Theriot is graduating from University of Louisiana at Lafayette, majoring in Organizational Communication and planning to work in childcare while she works on a writing project currently in development. Last, but certainly not least, Britney Bell is graduating from Southeastern Louisiana University with a Bachelor’s in General Studies and minor in Family Consumer Science. Starting in August, she will serve with City Year AmeriCorps.
We are immensely proud of these new college graduates for all that they have achieved, and congratulate them on reaching this momentous milestone. We cannot wait to see where life’s adventure takes them next. Read more about the 2017-2018 Boo Grigsby Foundation Scholarship graduates below.
Britney Bell
High School: Mathematics Science and Arts Academy (MSA-East), Iberville Parish
High School Graduation Year: 2013
College Attended: Southeastern Louisiana University
Major: General Studies with a minor in Family Consumer Science
College Graduation Year: May 2018
Degree: Bachelor of General Studies
Future Plans: Britney will be employed with City Year Americorps, starting in August 2018.
"From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank Career Compass and The Boo Grigsby Foundation for this scholarship. Southeastern has been a really enjoyable experience and I am so glad I’ve had support from Career Compass all along the way. Without Career Compass I would not be where I am today. They and the Boo Grigsby Foundation have brought me one step closer to graduation, and for that, I thank you all so very much."
Britney in 2013.
Britney in 2018.
Gill Jasmine
High School: East Saint John High School, Saint John the Baptist Parish
High School Graduation Year: 2014
College Attended: Nicholls State University
Major: Psychology
College Graduation Year: May 2018
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Future Plans: Gill plans to pursue his master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, starting in Summer 2018.
"I have been a part of Career Compass since high school, four years ago. Career Compass has made a tremendous impact on my life and my education. They saw something special in me that I didn’t see in myself until I began my college experience. Career Compass prepared me for college the minute I became a high school senior and have provided me with the tools to succeed in a higher education environment. Career Compass is a second family because of how close we all are, and we still keep in contact with each other. We all want to see each other grow and succeed, and eventually, go on to do spectacular and life-changing things that will make a huge impact on the world."
Gill in 2014.
Gill in 2018.
Raven Nichols
High School: Port Allen High School, West Baton Rouge Parish
High School Graduation Year: 2014
College Attended: Louisiana State University
Major: Print Journalism with a minor in English
College Graduation Year: May 2018
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication
Future Plans: Raven will be working toward her goal of being a successful journalist.
"I am so grateful for Career Compass. Throughout my four years of college, this scholarship has helped pay for books, dorm essentials, and other expenses… I appreciate Career Compass for taking a chance on me. I am proud to be an alumna of Louisiana State University."
Raven in 2014.
Raven in 2018.
Meaghan Overstreet
High School: White Castle High School, Iberville Parish
High School Graduation Year: 2013
College Attended: Southern University and A&M College
Major: Biology with a minor in chemistry
College Graduation Year: May 2018
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Future Plans: Meaghan plans to work as a lab technician to gain experience in her chosen field.
"Career Compass has helped me accomplish my goals. In high school, Mrs. Synomen guided me through the steps to get to college. In college, and Mrs. Debby helped me! Career Compass’s support system is awesome and I wouldn't change a single thing about the journey I took to get where I am today."
Meaghan in 2013.
Meaghan in 2018.
Kia Roybiskie
High School: West Saint John, Saint John the Baptist Parish
High School Graduation Year: 2013
College Attended: Nicholls State University
Major: Nursing
College Graduation Year: May 2018
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Future Plans: Kia is taking her nursing boards in June 2018, at which time she will become a registered nurse.
"Preparing to start college is a very scary situation for everyone. Many questions cloud a student’s mind: 'Will I graduate? Did I choose the right college or the right major? How will I afford everything?' and much more. Having the support of the Boo Grigsby Foundation throughout my entire college experience was awesome! By keeping me focused and checking up monthly, Career Compass kept me on top of my game and helped me reach my goal of becoming a registered nurse."
Kia in 2013.
Kia in 2018.
Joy Rucker
High School: Istrouma High School, East Baton Rouge Parish
High School Graduation Year: 2013
College Attended: Louisiana State University
Major: Human Resource and Leadership Development
College Graduation Year: December 2017
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Resource and Leadership Development
Future Plans: Joy has a daughter and was recently married. She is currently working full time and planning to return to Louisiana State University for graduate school, to study Human Resource and Workforce Development.
"My Career Compass coach, Ms. Laura, was so helpful in preparing me for college. I was so happy when I got accepted into Louisiana State University; I couldn’t wait to tell her the news!"
Joy in 2013.
Joy in 2017.
Jordan Stewart
High School: Saint James High School, Saint James Parish
High School Graduation Year: 2014
College Attended: Southern University and A&M College
Major: Mass Communication with a concentration in public relations
College Graduation Year: May 2018
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication
Future Plans: Jordan is applying to the graduate school at Southern and plans to study public administration. He is currently looking for a job.
Career Compass has been my extended family throughout my college years. They believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. My scholarship from the Boo Grigsby Foundation helped to support my education.
Jordan in 2014.
Jordan in 2018.
Jade Theriot
High School: Morgan City High School, Saint Mary Parish
High School Graduation Year: 2014
College Attended: University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Major: Organizational Communication
College Graduation Year: May 2018
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication
Future Plans: Jade plans to work in childcare over the summer while she works on a writing project that she has been developing.
Saying ‘thank you’ does not express how grateful I am to be a recipient of this wonderful scholarship. People like those at Career Compass are what help our world thrive. Without this scholarship, I truly didn’t believe college was in my future… Thank you all. And once more, thank you to everyone who is involved with this stellar foundation, the Boo Grigsby Foundation. I owe them so much for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Jade in 2014.
Jade in 2018.
More About the Boo Grigsby Foundation Scholarship: Find more information on the Boo Grigsby Foundation Scholarship Program here. This program would not be possible without the generosity of the Boo Grigsby Foundation and its benefactors.