Mary Howard-Day Scholarship Fund

Historical Information

During the 1999-2000 Spring Semester Mary Howard-Day, a 1969 graduate of the Holmes County School District (Durant Attendance Center High School-renamed William Sullivan High School) was the guest speaker at William Sullivan PTA Banquet. Upon completion of her presentation, Howard-Day made a $50.00 challenge encouraging someone to take and use the $50.00 to make a difference in the lives of others. Along with the audience, Howard-Day patiently waited for someone to “step forward.” With his infamous smile, Mr. Robert Glover of Goodman took the challenged! Realizing the $50.00 challenge was a great spiritual witness and tangle opportunity for the Walden Chapel United Methodist Men Ministry, Mr. Glover not only inspired these men to create the Mary Howard-Day Scholarship, but gained spiritual and financial support for the scholarship from people across the state of Mississippi through the launching of the Annual Gospel Explosion. This event is held annually in February at the William-Sullivan High School, Durant, Mississippi.

Return On Investments

Planting of what many individuals felt was a meager $50.00 challenge has and continues to yield a high rate of return on investments. To-date, overone hundred Holmes County graduating seniors been recipients of the Mary Howard-Day Scholarship totaling over $50,000 in scholarship funds. In addition, many of these young people are now educators, doctors, nurses, ministers, entrepreneurs, business executives and managers, just to name a few. Passionately, these individuals give back their time and talents to help other youth achieve their dreams. Through their services, the Mary Howard-Day Scholarship recipients help make the community a positive, quality of life environment for all residents.

Sustainability

Although the Annual Gospel Explosion is the Mary Howard-Day Scholarship’s major fundraiser, the United Methodist Men continues to seek other support for the scholarship. Hence said, your gift to support “Saving Our Children—One Child at a Time”through college scholarship funds attests to the United Negro College Fund’s slogan “The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste.” The United Methodist Men is working to minimize this waste throughout Holmes County by securing funds to assist youth in achieving their dreams by attaining a higher education. Therefore, your gift is truly needed—no matter the size.

Special Note: If you would like to give a contribution to the Mary Howard-Day Scholarship Fund, please make checks and/or money orders payable to Walden Chapel United Methodist Men Scholarship Fund. Send to: 308 Franklin Road, Goodman, MS, 39079.

Testimonials

Kania Turner

KeAndria Thompson

"I am honored to be a recipient of the 2018-2019 Mary Howard Day Scholarship, and would like to express my sincere gratitude for the UMM continued support to students who need it most. This scholarship gave me the chance to guide our youth toward pursuing their lifelong dreams as I am pursuing my own to becoming an Educator. The Mary Howard Day Scholarship has opened a door and the prospect of a brighter future. It has played a key role in shaping me into a successful person in the future. Donors like you make the life brighter for us. I can only hope that one day, I too, will be in a position to bring a smile to another needy student. I cannot express my gratitude enough."

KeAndria Thompson

"I attended The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi where I received a Bachelors of Arts in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. In 2009 I received the Mary Howard-Day Scholarship from UMM; it helped me to buy books and supplies to become successful. I am thankful that UMM gave me support as a young college student. In December of 2014 I graduated and now I am giving back to my community by helping students all over Holmes County communicate effectively."

Somer Greer

KeAndria Thompson

Somer Greer

"I graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in December of 2013. I received my Bachelors Degree in Health Policy & Administration. The UMM Scholarship was definitely a blessing for me when it came to purchasing books and other supplies to make my learning experience very efficient so I was able to obtain knowledge about the rapidly changing field of healthcare."

Maya Greer

Arsheika Howard

Somer Greer

"I earned my Bachelors Degree in Speech & Language Pathology from the University of Southern Miss. The UMM Scholarship has been able to provide me with the necessities to improve my learning experience in higher education so that I will be able to give to others who are in need of speech therapy."

Arsheika Howard

"The United Methodist scholarship made a significant impact with contributing towards my education. It strengthen my opportunity that I had at Alcorn State University and I graduated in 2013. I was very well motivated and thankful for receiving this scholarship. It truly helped me on my journey within my education."

Angeneka Meeks

Arsheika Howard

"During the Fall semester of 2016, I was awarded the Walden Chapel United Methodist Men and Mary Howard-Day scholarship. I am honored to have received this scholarship to assist me with paying for my undergraduate degree. I am currently pursuing a degree in Forensic Science with emphasizes in criminal justice, biology, and general science. My ultimate goal is to become a forensic pathologist, which takes 13 years to obtain. Because of this scholarship, military educational benefits, and working part time, I will graduate from the University of Southern Mississippi with less than half of the average national student loan debt. I used this scholarship and my other sources of income to pay for tuition, books and rent. Overall this scholarship have help me save for today and for tomorrow because the more I was able to pay out of the pocket while in school the least I will have to pay on interest for student loans later. So I encourage you, to apply for not only this scholarship but as many scholarships as you can and always remember to thank those who help you along the way. So thank you, Walden Chapel United Methodist Men and the committee of the Mary Howard-Day scholarship for awarding me with your scholarship."

KorDarius Parker

"The UMM scholarship was a great help to me in pursuing my academic career. My educational experience from the University of Mississippi was one of the greatest experiences that I have had in my life. I graduated in 2017. The scholarship played a huge part in terms of my experience being as great as it was. The UMM scholarship helped to ease the financial burden that many students face when going to college. I can say that it was because of this scholarship that I could actually focus on my school work and things that were beneficial to my career academically, rather than having to focus on how I was going to pay for it all! I am forever grateful to the United Methodist Men of Walden Chapel United Methodist Church for assisting in making my dream of having such a great educational experience a reality."

Testimonials

Dr. Roshun Glover

"I am honored to have been one of the recipients of the Mary Howard-Day Scholarship, through the efforts of the Walden Chapel United Methodist Men (UMM). This scholarship helped me to further my educational endeavors in so many ways. Obtaining the scholarship enabled me to get the necessities and tuition assistance that I needed during my Freshmen year at Mississippi Valley State University where I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology in 2008. Their generosity and support helped me in countless ways.

The Walden Chapel United Methodist Church family have always motivated and inspired me over the years to press forward in order to achieve the goals that the Lord put on my heart and in my spirit. The church has always played a special role in developing my Spiritual and Christian character. I attended spiritual retreats and community service functions. I, also, participated in the choir, the usher board, youth group, and young adult group. All of these experiences helped mold me and gave me the confidence that I needed to earn a Doctorate Degree in Chiropractic from Life University in 2014.

Lastly, being a member of the United Methodist Men of Walden Chapel since its origination has allowed me to build my networking and interpersonal skills. When I think of the United Methodist Men of Walden Chapel, I think of “Men of Service”, always providing guidance and support to younger generations. It has truly been a pleasure and an honor to be surrounded by a group of men who are dedicated to God, church and family. I consider myself blessed to have been surrounded by such loving and caring individuals. I am looking forward to the day I am able to help other students just as you have helped me. Remember, be of service to the future generation."

Alexis Davis

Dr. Roshun Glover

"I was blessed to be a recipient of the Mary Howard-Day Scholarship in 2012. I earned a double bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and Religious Studies from Millsaps College. This scholarship was beneficial because I was able to purchase all required textbooks and lab supplies. I am extremely thankful ."

Dexter Howard, Jr.

"I am humbly thankful and grateful to God and the United Methodist Men for being selected as a recipient of the Mary Howard Day Scholarship. This scholarship aided me in paying for my studies and expenses I had while attending at Alcorn State University. With the help of the United Methodist Men Scholarship, I was able to complete my undergraduate studies with a B.S. in Business Administration in May 2014. Thanks Walden Chapel United Methodist Men, and continue to make a difference in youth lives in Holmes County."

D'Angela Meeks

Dexter Howard, Jr.

"The Mary Howard-Day Scholarship helped me to pay for books that my scholarship did not cover. It also helped me pay for transportation for getting to and from school. The scholarship allowed me to be more focused on school and less on how to pay for it. It was indeed a blessing and I am grateful that I was given the scholarship."