Ansonia High graduate receives $5,000 scholarship

Students to be honored at annual J.A.T. awards dinner July 12

ANSONIA - The Julian A. Taylor Scholarship Committee announces 2015 Ansonia High School graduate DeQuan Thomas is the recipient of the 2015 $5,000 Julian A. Taylor Scholarship.  

DeQuan Thomas

Thomas will attend Western Connecticut State University, Danbury where he will major in education. He aspires to be a teacher. 

In addition to maintaining his academics Thomas was active in the National Honor Society, Hiking/Biking Club, Art Club, Video Game Club, Spanish Club, Drama Club, The Connecticut ECMC Scholars Program, and participated in talent shows at Ansonia and Oxford High School. 

He also is the recipient of several awards:  ECMC Scholarship, President’s Education Award, CAPT Scholar Award, Yudkin Family Scholarship, The CT Association of Schools Art Award and has been a four time winner of the JAT Scholars award. 

The $5,000 Julian A. Taylor Scholarship Award is presented to the highest ranking African American Senior with an 85 or above average going to a four-year University/College. In addition, 21 African American students in grades 3 to 11 attending Ansonia Public Schools will receive a $100 JAT Scholars award. 

The Julian A. Taylor Scholarship Fund was established in 1982 to honor and continue the ideals of the late Rev. Dr. Julian A. Taylor, former pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church.  

Awards will be presented at the J.A.T. Annual Awards Dinner at 2 p.m. July 12 at Grassy Hill Country Club, Orange.

The event speaker will be Jewelle Taylor Gibbs the daughter of the late Rev. Julian A. Taylor for whom the scholarship is named. Gibbs is a retired professor, author, and activist who holds a degree in social work and psychology from the University of California at Berkeley. 

She is the author of several publications, the latest is Destiny’s Child: Memoirs of a Preacher’s Daughter about her family who survived centuries of racial and social struggles to succeed and achieve upward mobility despite numerous obstacles. 

For ticket information call 203-645-9635. 

This is a press release from Diane Stroman, co-chairperson, Julian A. Taylor Scholarship Committee. 

Kudos to DeQuan Thomas and all of the JAT Scholars Award recipients on their academic achievements!