ASPSF awards 99 Fall 2025 scholarships to single parents in Northeast Arkansas
Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) congratulates the Fall 2025 scholarship recipients from the counties of Clay, Craighead, Greene, Mississippi, and Poinsett in Northeast Arkansas.
Fall 2025 recipients gather with their children following the awards program held Oct. 19 at St. Bernards Auditorium in Jonesboro.
Thanks to the support of local donors and state funding, ASPSF awarded scholarships in Northeast Arkansas totaling over $143,000 to 99 single parents pursuing associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and skilled-trade certificates. The single parents were honored at awards ceremonies at St. Bernards Auditorium in Jonesboro on Oct. 19 and Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville on Oct. 21.
ASPSF’s flexible scholarship of up to $1,600 helps low-income single parents pay for the biggest financial obstacles to obtaining a degree leading to a career with family-supporting wages. The monetary aid is paired with mentoring, financial instruction, and career coaching — the soft skill training that transforms students into sought-after employees.
“I want to sincerely thank the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund for your incredible support,” said Fall 2025 recipient Ikira Wells of Craighead County. “As a single mother pursuing my nursing degree at Arkansas State University–Newport, balancing school, parenting, and finances has been one of my greatest challenges.
Ikira Wells of Craighead County is pursuing a nursing degree at Arkansas State University–Newport.
“This scholarship has lifted a major financial burden and allowed me to focus more on my studies and providing for my children. Your generosity motivates me to keep pushing toward my ultimate goal of becoming a registered nurse so I can create a better future for my family and serve my community. Thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to continue my education.”
Local ASPSF volunteers Kimber Boone, LaShea Robinson, Marti Little, and Shana Pierce assisted at the Jonesboro ceremony. Additional guest volunteers included Edward Robinson-Chronister, Javion Alexander, J’Karius Lattimore, Katherine Pierce, Lance Pierce, and Lisann Weiler from The Academies at Jonesboro High School Terrence Lattimore from McArthur Junior High; and Judd Samples from Nettleton High School. Additionally, SPSF volunteer Denese Bogard helped plan and present the Blytheville event.
ASPSF would like to thank St. Bernards Auditorium and Arkansas Northeastern College for lending the use of their venues as well as Abigail Leggett, an Arkansas State University student, for taking photographs at the Jonesboro event.
Among the students receiving a single parent scholarship were: Ahyesha Steward, Alana Martin, Alex Evans, Alexus Donnerson, Andrea Lacy, Ashley Tucker, Asia Frazier, Baylee Ford, Brandi Grimes, Carrie Schoolfield, Chelsea Jackson, Chelsea Jones, Cheyenne Godding, Claudeya Williams, Courtney Henry, Courtney Latham, Curtis Brown, Damali Dawson, Dawn Howard, Denicia Corbin, Destiny Lewis, Gabrielle Sprinkel, Ikira Wells, Jashayla Johnson, Jennifer Layman, Jlexxius Harris, Jodeci Boston, Kallen Howard, Karla Caraway, Kayla Duncan, Keiahna Jamison, Kishayla Garrett, LaBria Hillard, Lydia Wolfe, Madison Peden, Makesha Davis, Mallory Crain, Marcy Mays, Megan Thiesse, Mikela Jones, Misty Bennett, Mokebia Callicutt, Nyeisha White, Niki Baker, Pamela Bell, Phylicia Mitchell, Rachel Jones, Riley Williams, Shacoria Lewis, Shakyra Anderson, Shanona Kitchens, Sherelle McGowan, Shiloh Allen, Tamera Newman, Tara Williams, Tiffany Williams, Tyesha Isom, Whitley Cornelious, and Yyel Williams all of Craighead County.
Mississippi County students included Alicia Williams, Constance DeBose, Destinee Ball, Drewnilla Mcdougal, Erika Foyt, Ieasha Chappelle, Jasmine Swift, Jasmine Thomas, Kavonna Bennett, Krystal Therry, Madison Smith, Malory Ennis, Mauricia Jones, Nakayla Smith, Nansi Moran-Rios, Princess Vail, Quintryce Wells, Ressie Jackson, Samantha Robey, Sherita Yankaway, Stephany Castillo, Tatyana Stringer and Xavia Allen.
From Poinsett County, Casondra Bloodworth, Haley Latham, Harden Daniels, Jasmine Burns, Natalie Traynom, Robin McDavis, Savanna Woodson, Shania Gibbs, and Whitney Carter were awarded.
Antwanette Robinson, Ellie Duke, Hailley Johnson, Madison Baird, Shetia Sloan, Tiffany Rone, and Victoria Heigle from Greene County were awarded.
Lastly, Rachel Jordan from Clay County received a single parent scholarship.
