GREATER ST. JOHN FIGHTS VIOLENCE BY INVESTING IN EDUCATION

Rev. Ira J. Acree, Pastor of Greater St. John Bible Church, presents a scholarship to Shayna Bolling, an honors student attending the University of Illinois-Springfield in the fall.

 Reverend Ira J. Acree, Pastor of Greater St. John Bible Church, 1256 North Waller Avenue, presented 25 students with $500 scholarships at a Friday, July 13, Excellence In Education Concert and Awards Ceremony. Reverend Acree has been on the front line as an advocate for education and crusader against the violence plaguing Chicago’s West Side neighborhoods.
    “It has been very challenging this year raising the funds to assist these students in pursuing their dreams,” Rev. Acree notes. “But, in the ninth hour members rallied and stepped up and our supporters came through. I think our supporters understand that education is a proven tool for combatting violence.”
    Mrs. Penny Bady, mother of Maurice Brown, Jr., who was shot to death on his 15th birthday, December 12, 2003, presented the Maurice “Cowboy” Brown, Jr. Scholarship in memory of her late son. Greater St. John Bible Church has awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships over the last 9 years.
    The Celebration of Excellence in Education Concert and Awards Ceremony was held July 13 at 7:00 PM in the JLM Abundant Life Center, 2622 West Jackson Boulevard. Featured performers were Stellar Award winner VaShawn Mitchell and popular Stellar nominee Kim Stratton.

Rev. Ira Acree with a future scholarship winner.

 GREATER ST. JOHN BIBLE CHURCH 2012 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Current College Students:
    *    Nicole M. Acree, Clark Atlanta University
    *    Courtney Abbott, Illinois State University
    *    Bria Bonner, Prairie View A&M University
        Johniqua D. Coffee, Chicago State University
    *    Danrell Gibson, Harold Washington College
        Jeffrey Jamison, Morehouse College
        James Johnson, Lewis University
    *    Laquasha Logan, Loyola University
        Allisyn J. Mims, Northern Illinois University
    *    Angela Parker, Illinois Central College
    *    Marche D. Pernell, University of Missouri
    *    Tanisha D. Pughsley, Alabama State University
        Lisa Richardson-Bilal, Southern Illinois
             University-Carbondale
    *    Kierra Thomas, Roosevelt University
        Terrance Washington, Western Illinois University
        Leteshia Willey, Richard J. Daley College
    
2012 High School Graduates:
    *    Christopher Canty, University of Illinois-Urbana
    *    Shayna Bolling, University of Illinois-Springfield
    *    Stephanie Hudson, North Iowa Community College
        Raven Lewis, Columbia College, Chicago
    *    Rhonda Lewis, Southern Illinois University
    *    Kiara Pore, Texas Southern University
    *    Andrea Singleton, Ashford University
        Brittany Walker, Texas Southern University
    *    Theresa Waters, Clark Atlanta University

Maurice “Cowboy” Brown Scholarship Recipient:
        Charles Bryant, Alcorn State University

*Displaying Academic Excellence with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Kim Stratton headlined the Celebration of Excellence In Education Concert & Awards Ceremony.