Our Stories | Simmons Memorial Foundation

"As a former foster child, I did not have many opportunities that opened up my worldview. SMF opened the door for me to visit colleges I most likely would have never considered. Now, as an Alum of Spelman College and Georgia State University, I am so grateful SMF is a part of my story."

"SMF played an invaluable role in my college decision process and my future. The program does an outstanding job of offering tangible benefits such as mock interviews and help with application essays. However, the true value of the program lies in its ability to broaden horizons and encourage students to strive for heights that they previously did not imagine were possible."

"The Simmons Memorial Foundation has provided me with countless opportunities, for which I am truly grateful.
It is because of Professor Simmons and his program that I discovered Wellesley College, where I am now proudly pursuing my education. Thanks to his guidance and the opportunities provided by SMF, I was able to secure the funding necessary to attend this incredible institution."

“Talking to the mentors, who were in various stages of their professional careers, I realized something key to personal success – the fact that my life was in my hands. With attained information and guidance from The Simmons Memorial Foundation, Inc., my limitations were shed and horizons broadened, opening my life to endless possibilities.”

"The support provided by the Simmons Memorial Foundation was invaluable for more than just the myriad of college acceptances that it led to. My involvement with SMF truly changed my life and showed me what it meant to dream bigger and bolder ... The ethos of equipping students with the tools needed to navigate unfamiliar territory has stayed with me for over the last decade and its support is needed now more than ever."

“Many people instruct students to set lofty goals, but few make a concerted effort to follow through with their success. The Simmons Memorial Foundation is in the practice of following through. By providing necessary resources, realistic advice, and persistent encouragement they ensure that dreams transform into tangible realities. My life’s positive trajectory is a testament to SMF’s commitment.”

Cynthia T. Simmons Memorial Scholarship Past Recipients

1996 – Joy Oliver – Seaford High School – University of Delaware
1997 – Kristin Banks – Milford High School – University of Delaware
1998 – Willie Savage – Woodbridge High School – University of Delaware
1999 – Davita Mumford – Sussex Central High School – University. of Delaware
1999 – Ajay Nainani – Cape Henlopen High School –
1999 – Christopher Myers – Cape Henlopen High School –
2000 – Rachel Valentin – Sussex Tech High School – Spelman College
2001 – Ebonie Hughes – Woodbridge High School – Spelman College
2002 – Travis Jackson – Seaford High School – Morehouse College
2004 – Annalisa Smith – Seaford High School – University of Virginia
2005 – Maria Zinser – Laurel High School – University of Delaware
2006 – Charisse Holmes – Delmar High School – Wake Forest University
2007 – Alan-Michael Hill – Milford High School – University of Pennsylvania
2007 – Brittany Terrell – Dover High School – University of Virginia
2008 – Jerome Hutson – Woodbridge High School – University of Hawaii
2009 – Charesa Smith – Reynolds High School – Harvard University
2010 – Rafael Grillo – Parkland High School – Princeton University
2011 – Cameron Campbell – Glenn High School – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2012 – Paige Woods – Parkland High School – Harvard University
2013 – Karina Martinez Romo – Parkland High School – Duke University
2013 – Luis Miguel Vasquez – West Forsyth High School – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2014 – Semassa Boko – Mount Tabor High School – Pomona College
2015 – Marianne Cruzat – Early College of Forsyth – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2016 – Caroline Phan – Parkland High School – Davidson College
2016 – Andra Woods – Parkland High School – Bowdoin College
2016 – Ashley Douglas – Parkland High School – University of Pennsylvania
2016 – Maria Cruzat – Early College of Forsyth – UNC Charlotte
2017 – Iyon Baker – Early College of Forsyth – UNC Chapel Hill
2017 – Jada Dove – Glenn High School – UNC Charlotte
2018 – Victor Desnoyers – Atkins High School – Howard University
2019 – Jayden Brown – Salem Academy – Wake Forest University
2020 – Jolie Dumay – Parkland High School – Wake Forest University
2021 – Micah Eustache – Parkland Magnet High School – Wellesley College
2022 – Dallia Lindell – Parkland Magnet High School – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Nathaniel P. Simmons III Memorial Scholarship Past Recipients

2002 – Sylvanna Johnson – Sussex Technical High School – Spelman College
2004 – Kimberly Harris – Widener University
2005 – Bobby Bowden – Delaware State University
2006 – Charis Tomlin – Hampton University
2007 – Faith Roach – University of Delaware
2008 – Johnathan Charles – University of Delaware
2009 – Jordan Showell – Milford High School – Morehouse College
2010 – Damaris Ramirez – Parkland High School – Meredith College
2011 – Jamie Gorham – Salem Academy – East Carolina University
2012 – Britni Wallace – Parkland High School – Oberlin College
2013 – Mishana Sturdivant – Robert B Glenn High School – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2013 – Ashley Green – Early College Academy at Dudley High School – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2014 – Joseph Ford – Parkland High School – Wake Forest University
2015 – Jada Baker – Early College of Forsyth – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2016 – Jontae Lindsey – East Forsyth High School – UNC Wilmington
2016 – Raines Warren – Reynolds High School – Howard University
2016 – Alexis Douglas – Parkland High School – NC State University
2016 – Jada Moore – Reynolds High School – NC A&T University
2016 – Mikalah Muhammad – Atkins High School – NC A&T University
2017 – Alese Berry – Reagan High School – Winston Salem State University
2018 – Danielle Coan – Early College of Forsyth County- NC State University
2019 – Danielle Allen – Atkins High School – North Carolina A&T University
2019 – Chigamecha Oparanozie – Parkland High School – North Carolina A&T University
2020 – Jaelyn Brown – Reynolds High School – Howard University
2020 – Nathan Bailey – Atkins High School – North Carolina A&T University
2021 – Breanna Chadwick – Parkland High School – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2021 – Alexis Cooper – Walkertown High School – Elon University
2021 – John Jackson – Atkins High School – Mars Hill University

Nathaniel P. Simmons, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Past Recipients

2013 – Katerra Logan – Mount Tabor High School – Yale University
2013 – Jordan Latham – Parkland High School – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2014 – Ebony Watkins – Parkland High School – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2015 – Breon Jenkins – West Forsyth High School – Wingate University
2015 – Mariah Adams – Walkertown High School – East Carolina University
2016 – Roger Cameron Berry – Reagan High School – NC A&T University
2017 – Jaylen Jeffries – Reynolds High School – NC A&T University
2017 – Jasmine Dove – Glenn High School – UNC Charlotte
2018 – Alaina Watkins – Parkland High School – UNC School of the Arts
2018 – Kolachi Oparanozie – Parkland High School – George Mason University
2019 – Saven Baker – Atkins High School – Morehouse College
2020 – Najashi Belcher – Walkertown High School – University of San Francisco
2021 – Jackson Brown – Atkins High School – Wake Forest University
2022 – Avanish Bharadwaj – Parkland High School – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2024 – Breyonna Moss – Phillip O Berry Academy – UNC Charlotte