Norwalk students receive full scholarships to historically Black college: 'Truly a gift'

By Sandra Diamond Fox

High School senior Zahira Oyola Vargas was interested in attending CT State Community College Norwalk in the fall, but she may take a different path after receiving a full scholarship to Livingstone College in Salisbury, N.C.

She said she plans to visit the college this summer and make her decision at that time.

Oyola Vargas, 18, is one of two students from high schools in Norwalk who were received scholarships to Livingstone College, one of the nation’s Historically Black College and Universities, or HBCUs. The second student attends Norwalk High School, Livingstone College Vice President Anthony Brooks said.

Over 100 colleges in the U.S. are identified by the U.S. Department of Education as HBCUs, a group of colleges established with the primary goal of educating African American students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

To be awarded a presidential scholarship, seniors need a 3.7 GPA or higher, Brooks said, after the visit. Presidential scholarships cover tuition fees, room and board, and books.

“We do introduce students to many varying colleges, but this was exciting to have the college right here, with the president and other elevated officials, to talk to students,” said Lynne Moore, principal of Norwalk High School.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s what people dream of. It’s truly a gift to the students here in Norwalk Public Schools,” said LaShante James, assistant principal at Brien McMahon.

Other students from the high schools who qualified for a Livingstone scholarship had already committed to other colleges by the time the president visited, officials said.

Aside from visiting Norwalk schools from May 20 to May 22, Davis and Brooks made stops at a number of high schools — in New Haven, Bloomfield and Bridgeport as well as in Harlem, N.Y., among others — to give out college scholarships to Livingstone.

While this was the second year Livingston school officials traveled to offer the scholarships in person, it’s the first year they visited Norwalk schools. All of the students who were offered Livingston College scholarships have until August to make decisions on attending, Brooks said.

There aren’t any historically Black colleges or universities in the New England area, Brooks said.

“One of the things (Davis) wanted to do is make sure that students up north had the same opportunity that students in North Carolina have as it relates to being sharp but also being rewarded for their talent and academic ability,” Brooks said.

Davis is from Connecticut and was born and raised in New Haven, “so he wanted to come back …. to give back to his community,” James said.

In an email shared by Moore, Brooks said Livingstone College “is committed to diversity and welcomes all students to apply for the scholarships.”

The school raises the money for the scholarships through private donations, Brooks said.

“He goes out and personally meets with donors,” Brooks said. “Last year he gave out $4.5 million in academic scholarships. And this year he’s (giving out) $6.5 million.”

Brenda Penn-Williams, president of the Norwalk chapter of the NAACP, said the association sponsored Livingstone College to come to Norwalk to offer the scholarships and speak to the students. Penn-Williams said it’s important that students in the state are familiar with historically Black colleges.

“The kids around here in Connecticut should know about Black history,” she said.