The Diocese of Camden Black Catholic Ministries Commission (BCMC) announces the winners of its 2020 Scholarship Contest. This year the annual scholarship has been renamed the Taylor-Woodson Memorial Scholarship, in honor of two dedicated BCMC board members who died recently.
Ricardo “Rick” Vincent Taylor received the individual Justice in Action Award at the 2016 Camden Diocesan Justice for All Awards banquet, given for his long career in education and public service. For 42 years, Taylor served in the Pennsauken School System. He also served as Pennsauken mayor for nine years.
Earline Woodson was an active member of the Black Catholic Ministry for over 25 years. She helped to organize its first Afternoon of Jazz and served on the Liturgy, Family Retreat and Essay committees. Woodson was also a member of the Diocese of Camden’s Racial Justice Commission from its inception.
The commission’s scholarship committee interviewed 17 students for the five available scholarships. Four one-time awards of $2,000 each were given to Diocese of Camden elementary school students entering Catholic high schools within the diocese. A one-time award of $1,000 was given to a Diocese of Camden high school student entering college in September. Students were chosen based on their academics, activities, recommendation letters, autobiography and interviews.
College scholarship winner Alexander DeJean graduated from Holy Spirit High School, Absecon, and will attend Georgian Court University.
Zoe McKendrick graduated from Saint Rose of Lima, Haddon Heights, and will attend Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill.
Conrad McNamara graduated from Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Berlin, and will attend Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill.
Armani Mensah graduated from Our Lady Star of the Sea, Atlantic City, and will attend Holy Spirit High School, Absecon.
Brian Palin graduated from Saint Joseph Regional School, Somers Point, and will attend Holy Spirit High School, Absecon.
Funding for the scholarships comes from Black Catholic Ministries Commission’s fundraising activities and from a Black and Indian Mission Office Grant.