SCHOLARSHIPS
Please see the list below for the Foundation's Scholarships. Each bears the name of an important person to the collective community and unique tapestry of our Founder. Please submit a contact inquiry to receive a scholarship application.
Ruthie Spells Bryant Award
For a Rising College Junior or Senior with at least a 2.8 GPA and a major in Political Science. This award bears the name of our Founder's mother, who was strategic in organizing voting registrations and NAACP rallies in her hometown of Ridgeville, SC. Ruthie is also a lover of forensic science shows and mathematics, but believes in education first no matter what. Ruthie also planned the first Spells Family Reunion and served as the Reunion President for our first three reunions. The Spells Family has been gathering now for over 30 years due to her vision.
Rev. Andrew Lee Bryant Award
For a Rising College Junior or Senior with at least a 2.8 GPA and a major in Theology, History or a Trade. This award bears the name of our Founder's father, who was a minister, a carpenter, and a lover of Daufuskie as well as Black History. Andrew shared fond memories of his childhood with everyone he knew, and never met a stranger. He was a strong advocate of education and lover of books. *This award is also available to lifelong learners permitting funding is available.
Mr. Jake Washington Award
To know Mr. Jake was to love him. He watched out for everyone on Daufuskie and was its resident "mayor." He was very instrumental in the logistics of how boats came to and left the island. The recipient of his award must major in Leadership or Logistical Management, and can be anywhere along their collegiate path as long as their GPA is above a 2.5. Many times our Founder ran into Mr. Jake as a child visiting Daufuskie and remembers him fondly.
Rosa Mae Spells Walker Award
For a Graduating High School Senior with a 3.0 GPA wishing to pursue a career in Nursing. Deaconess Rosa Mae Spells Walker has given birth to a legacy of nurses that include at least 1 granddaughter and 2great-granddaughters pursuing a nursing career. As the eldest living member of the Spells Family at 92 years young, she still does not miss a Spells Family Reunion.
Mrs. Lillie Simmons Award
Lillie loved to bake and feed those around her. This award will go to a graduating high school Senior with a passion for Culinary Arts. Students must have a 3.0 GPA to recieve this award. Lillie was the great-aunt of the Founder, and has been cited in the IAAM in Washington, DC. She was 101 years old when she passed and was able to still recall her family from Daufuskie.
Mr. Silas Bryan Award
Silas Bryan, the paternal great-grandfather of our Founder, was a Businessman and owned one of the first automobiles on Daufuskie Island. He also owned acres of land along with his brother Thomas. The family home that was built in the 1940s and left to his only son, Joe Bryan, is still standing today and belongs to Joe's heirs and shall for generations to come. This award recipient must major in Business Management and have a 3.5 GPA or above going into their Senior year of college with plans to pursue an MBA. Cleveland Bryan, the oldest living resident on Daufuskie and of the Bryan Family, can still recall his Uncle Si at 98 years young and is our last living link to his story.
Alvenia Spells Miles Award
For a incoming Freshman or graduating high school Senior with a 2.8 GPA and a major in the Humanities (Social Science, Philosophy). Alvenia Spells Miles has given unconditional love to her community through not only fostering countless individuals, but adopted 7 of them to keep the children together. She is a true Humanitarian with a heart of Gold. The recipient will have to have attended at least 1 Spells Family Reunion and can be a friend of a Spells descedant.
Mrs. Letha Snider Bryan Award
Letha Snider Bryan was the Founder's paternal grandmother. She was a wonderful mother of ten children and used to work in Daufuskie's oyster refinery. She cooked the best red rice and fried fish, and was so very proud that she raised two ministers, two deacons, one missionary and all of her grandchildren. This award will be given to those pursuing a career in Marine Biology, because oysters are still important. You must be a rising senior in college with a 3.0 GPA or higher to recieve this award.
Ms. Frances Jones/
Sarah Grant Award
Frances Jones taught everyone on Daufuskie long before Pat Conroy ever crossed the water, and he was only there for 12 months. She was also instrumental in helping with social issues on the island as well. Sarah Grant was the resident midwife and part-time undertaker on Daufuskie. This award will be given to those pursuing a range of goals in one of the following areas: Social Services, Education, Midwifery, Obstetrics, and/or Mortuary Sciences. GPA of 2.0 and above required along any stage in their career path.