Our Recipients
2024
Lalia Mauldin
Lalia Mauldin is a senior at Christiana High School Honors Academy Program. She maintains a rigorous curriculum including dual enrollment courses through Wilmington University. While Laila is still in the deciding stage, her College Interest is Auburn University as an Architecture Major.
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Laila has Intellect - as a Nation Honors and Art Society Member; Talent - as an artist, she plays the viola in the orchestra; Athleticism as Christiana’s varsity championship swim team and track and field teams. She is a certified swim instructor, coach, and lifeguard, and enjoys volunteering at the Food Bank, school events, and beautification projects.
Lalia believes the Pampalena C. Watson Excellence in Education Memorial Scholarship will
support her goal to attain an Architecture degree and later design centers to expose our youth, especially minority girls, to STEM activities and the sport of swimming.
Kayne Gaymon
At two years old, Kayne Gaymon played a rough game of tag with my uncle. In doing so, he ran into a piece of furniture and chipped my front tooth. His parents rushed me to the dentist where he played games while we waited, and watched cartoons while they fixed his tooth, and afterward, he received a prize. They took a picture for the wall, and Kayne remembers thinking this was the best place ever. Fast forward to the present,
Kayne has had countless cleanings, braces, and several retainers. After sixteen years, his picture still hangs on the wall of fame at the dentist office. This is one of the early memories that inspired Kayne to strive towards becoming a dentist.
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Kayne is committed to being a role model for his younger family members and students in his community. He already serves as a mentor and guest speaker at a mentorship program that he attended while in high school.
The PCW EIE Scholarship would allow Kayne Gaymon to focus more on my studies and experiences which will help him to get closer to his dream of becoming a dentist. It would also enable him to invest in resources like books and supplies. Kayne hopes to become a dentist so he may advocate for accessible dental care for children and our elderly community. The PCW EIE scholarship will not only support his educational aspirations but also empower him to make a lasting impact on the community.
Kaylei Thomas
Kaylei Thomas is passionate about science and community service. She aspires to make a meaningful impact through genetic engineering. Growing up in a split household taught me resilience and determination, shaping her ambition to pursue a career that advances healthcare and biotechnology. She aspires to attend college, particularly Howard University to focus on her studies and engage in research and community service projects.
Kaylei is committed to being a role model for young students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. She plans to establish mentorship programs in local schools to provide guidance on college readiness and career exploration in STEM fields. Additionally, she envisions organizing workshops to promote HBCUs and the opportunities they offer, empowering students to pursue their dreams.
The PCW EIE Scholarship is not just an investment in my future; it is a stepping stone toward creating positive change within my community. With this support, Kaylei will fulfill my educational goals while uplifting others along the way is crucial for my goals.
Jala Filmore-Bey
Jala Gilmore-Bey is the oldest of six siblings and was born and raised in Philadelphia. She has always been a creative and artsy child, and for as long as she can remember her main interests revolved around the arts. She would love to be an interior designer and architectural engineer because it will allow her to be as creative as she or the people she is working with want to be and want to have the qualifications to construct the groundwork of interior spaces as well. Jala Gilmore-Bey is currently studying at Drexel University because the institution has the best program and resources for her to thrive in her future career.
The PCW EIE Scholarship can help Jala afford the materials she needs for my interior design and architectural engineering courses. She will have to spend money on books and art supplies, which she will also have to buy often.
After earning her degree, Jala plans on reconstructing and renovating many of the abandoned and unstable buildings in Philadelphia to repurpose them to support Philadelphia’s population, trying my best to help those in poverty by doing so. Jala hopes the younger generation can understand that there are many ways to help the people in your community. No matter what concentration or career, there is always a way to use it to benefit your community.
2023
Ryan Williams
Leah Burch
Ryan Williams
Leah's fascination with the field of medicine began at the tender age of eight. Captivated by the transformative power of medicine to improve lives, she was inspired by the medical professionals she encountered, who exhibited kindness, compassion, and deep knowledge. These experiences ignited Leah's passion for STEM and set her on a path of academic and personal growth. One of the most significant milestones in this journey was her involvement in SeaPerch, an underwater robotics program, which she participated in for three years.
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Leah, despite being the youngest member of her team, was entrusted with the crucial roles of builder and design notebook engineer. She meticulously documented every step, method, challenge, and success that her team experienced. Her dedication and attention to detail paid off, as her team consistently placed first in the design notebook category each year. This achievement fueled Leah's desire to push herself further, leading her to attend STEM summer programs at Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania, where she continued to hone her skills and deepen her knowledge.
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Leah aspires to become a physician, a dream she hopes to achieve with the support of the Pampalena C. Watson Excellence in Education Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship would be instrumental in helping her pursue her educational goals and fulfill her ambition of serving her community as a minority doctor. Leah is particularly driven by the alarming statistic that only 5.7% of all doctors identify as Black. She is committed to changing this narrative by not only becoming a physician but also by mentoring others and creating pathways for future generations of youth to enter the field of medicine.
Ryan Williams is currently pursuing a major in Civil Engineering at Jackson State University. His decision to attend Jackson State was driven by the university's welcoming atmosphere, robust internship opportunities, and rigorous academic programs, which made it feel like a home away from home.
Ryan is deeply committed to expanding his knowledge and embracing new challenges as he prepares for a career in Civil Engineering. During his senior year at Building 21 High School in the Philadelphia School District, Ryan engaged in meaningful community service at AB Day Elementary School. This experience was transformative for Ryan, as he had the opportunity to share his high school journey and extracurricular involvement with younger students. The highlight of his service was when some of these students were able to shadow him for a day at his high school, providing them with a firsthand experience of what it means to be a high school student. The joy on the students' faces, especially when some received on-site acceptances into Ryan's high school, left a lasting impression on him.
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The impact Ryan had on these students sparked a deeper interest in community service, particularly in mentoring the youth. The gratitude expressed by the students and the realization of the positive influence he could have on their lives inspired Ryan to consider how he could further contribute to various communities. He feels privileged and blessed to have played a role in helping the younger generation achieve their goals and is eager to continue making a difference.
2022
Kevin Anthony Mitchell Jr.
Kevin Anthony Mitchell Jr. son of Kevin and D’Veda Mitchell and big brother to Faith Joan E. Mitchell. Kevin is a Senior at Cab Calloway School of the Arts (Cab) in the Red Clay Consolidated School District where he majors in Instrumental Music as a trumpet player. Kevin has been a member of the Wilmington Children’s Jazz Band and is currently a member of the award-winning Cab Calloway Spirit Marching Band.
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Kevin’s love for music and instruments started at Bethel A.M.E Wilmington Church as a drum player. Actually, Kevin used two pencils, given by his grandmother, to drum on the pew bench or hymnal during service as a toddler. By the time Kevin was 5 yrs. old, he played the drums at church under the direction of Mr. John Coley. In addition to contributing to the music ministry at Bethel, Kevin is a member of the Teen Choir and has held the Vice-President position of the Young People’s Department (YPD).
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Kevin was awarded a 2nd place multi-media presentation in the Bethel A.M.E. 1st District Founder’s Day contest. During the past two summers, Kevin was gainfully employed by the Wilmington Youth Career programs at the DuPont Environmental Center and most recently an intern at Green Jobs, Inc. Over the last consecutive eight marking periods, Kevin has earned honor roll distinction. At school, he is a member of the symphonic band and Black Student Union. In 2021, Kevin was a finalist in the MLK Voice contest and earned the Aligning Meaningful Employment certification offered by FAME, Inc. Since 2018, Kevin has been a member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. He also has successfully completed the Achiever’s program sponsored by Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. and The Links Incorporated.
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Kevin desires to attend an HBCU following high school and considers majoring in Computer Engineering and, of course, continuing his love for playing instruments in an HBCU Marching band. Lastly, in Kevin’s spare time he plays video games, teaching the family dog “Miracle” new tricks and relaxing.
Cameron Jordan Ridgley
Cameron Jordan Ridgley is the son of Peter and Jacqualine Santiago and Daniel Ridgley. He was born in Philadelphia, PA, and resides in Middletown, DE. Cameron attends Middletown Highschool in Middletown, Delaware where he is an honor student. Cameron is a leader and member of various student-run clubs and organizations in his school, including Dungeon & Dragons Club, the school newspaper, National Honor Society, the National Society of Highschool Scholars, and the Guitar Club. Cameron also plays the clarinet and the piano.
As Cameron looks towards the future, he plans on applying to various colleges and universities to attend starting the fall of 2023 including, but not limited to, North Carolina A&T University, Howard University, Delaware State University, Hampton University, MIT, and several others. Cameron’s current academic interests are in the S.T.E.M fields with a focus on computer science. His future goal is to become a Software Developer.
Cameron has been part of the New Castle County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc. since 2009. He is currently teen corresponding secretary, and has served as chair of the Teen Conference Scrapbook and a member of the Regional Teen Advisory Task Force and has previously served as the Corresponding Secretary and Chaplain. Additionally, Cameron has participated on many committees – Fundraising, Community Service Teen Conference Apparel, to name a few.
Besides actively serving his school community, Cameron is engaged in community service in his own neighborhood through volunteering at the Food Bank of Delaware and the Safety Town camp of New Castle County.
When Cameron is not busy with his academic, service, and Jack & Jill commitments, Cameron participates in the Omega Mentoring program, Twenty20 Focus Mentoring program, the National Society of Black Engineers junior program, FAME summer program, and Teen Sharp academic excellence program.
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2021
Niya Danzy Ghaffaar
Niya Simone Danzy-Ghaffaar is a native of Philadelphia. Pennsylvania. She attended high school at the Girard Academie Music Program where she studied music theory and music technology for 8 years. Niya is currently enrolled at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania where she is working towards earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She has a rising 3.46 GPA.
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Niya is intentional about being active on campus. To date, she has served on the Student Government Association board as the Executive Secretary, worked as a Resident Advisor in the Living and Learning Community Residential Hall, participated as a player in the Intramural Volleyball League, and served on the schools Intramural Board as the Executive Treasurer.
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Niya is a creative and fun-loving spirit. She enjoys traveling to different countries. So far she has been to England, France, and the islands of the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Niya values spending quality time with her family. friends and pet ferret, Aurora, from whom she is inseparable.
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In the future, Niya plans to use her degree in biology to become an ultrasound technician. She also plans to continue to write children's books catered to the experiences black children in America will face. Niya one day hopes to open her own publishing company dedicated to this cause. With all of her efforts, her main goal is to ultimately serve and assist the black community.