Each year, Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter awards a four-year scholarship, totaling up to $6,000, to a graduating senior in the top third of his or her class.  Other eligibility requirements include:  a completed application; an official transcript with ACT or SAT scores; a letter of recommendation from the student’s guidance counselor and teacher of an academic subject; and a typewritten autobiographical essay. 

Prior to receiving the scholarship, the applicant must verify acceptance to and attendance at an accredited post-secondary university or college.  The student must also maintain a C+ average throughout college to keep the scholarship.  The children of Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter members are ineligible to apply.  

The availability of applications are announced each year in February and are due in April.  Please check this website’s homepage for the announcement and to download the application. 

The Audrey D. Holmes Scholarship, founded by The Holmes Family in memory of Ms. Audrey D. Holmes and administered by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter, is awarded to a University of New Haven female, undergraduate sophomore who has declared a criminal justice major.  Ms. Holmes believed that having a strong educational foundation was the key to success. She received her BS degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University, Boston, MA.  For 28 years, she worked for the Connecticut Department of Corrections and Board of Pardons & Paroles.  She was appointed to the Board of the Emergency Management Shelter and has chaired various committees. 

Since 1995, she remained an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter, holding the positions of Graduate Advisor and Sergeant-at-Arms.  As a  Graduate Advisor of Xi Omicron Chapter, the undergraduate chapter whose membership includes students from the University of New Haven, she received the Graduate Advisor of the Year Award.  Ms. Holmes also received a North Atlantic Regional appointment to serve on the My Sister’s Keeper Committee. Ms. Holmes was adored as a leader and mentor.

The recipient of the Audrey D. Holmes scholarship must maintain a 3.0 GPA, be of African American descent, and involved in extra-curricular activities. Preference for this award is given to a student who is a resident of New Haven County. If, however, no student meets this criteria, the awardee shall be a resident of the State of Connecticut. This scholarship is awarded to the same individual during her sophomore, junior, and senior years as long as she continues to meet the above criteria. Should the recipient not meet the above criteria in either her junior or senior year, a new sophomore student shall be chosen.

In recent years, Theta Epsilon Omega has been fortunate to increase the amount of the scholarship because of excellent fundraising years.  We owe that to you for your support at our various fundraising events.  As our application pool shows, there are many deserving students that need scholarships to help pay for their college education, and it is our hope to increase our fundraising dollars to expand our reach.  Please donate to Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter’s scholarship program to help deserving youth secure a better future. 

For more information and to apply for other academic scholarships, fellowships and community assistance awards, visit the sorority’s Educational Advancement Foundation, Inc

Tiara Walters

Tiara Walters, a 2023 graduate of Achievement First, Amistad High School in New Haven, was a member of the National Honor Society, the National Honor Society of High School Scholars, and Captain of the Amistad Cheerleading Team. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Tiara was able to continue her academic excellence of maintaining a 4.23 GPA. Throughout the years, she has been involved in her community serving as a member of and volunteer for various local organizations such as The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc., New Haven Club, where she served as the Youth Club President; and the NAACP, Greater New Haven Branch, where she served as Youth Council Vice President. Tiara is currently attending Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, where she will pursue a major in Education Studies. Her career goal is to become a Superintendent.

Year

Name

High School 

College/University

2022Abiba BiaoAchievement First Amistad High School, New Haven, CTSouthern Connecticut State University
2021Montsho CantonHamden High School, Hamden, CTSpelman College
2020Kameren Sophia SimmonsHamden High School, Hamden, CTHoward University
2019Brookelyn HazelwoodCooperative Arts and Humanities High School, New Haven, CTHampton University
2018Lydia OgbeJames Hillhouse High School, New Haven, CTUniversity of Connecticut
2017Makayla BigardMetropolitan Business Academy, New Haven, CTCentral Connecticut State University
2017Whitney BrelandCooperative Arts and Humanities High School, New Haven, CTSouthern Connecticut State University
2016Kiani SimmonsCooperative Arts and Humanities High School, New Haven, CTDelaware State University
2016Arese UwuoruyaAchievement First Amistad High School, New Haven, CTYale University
2015Tatiana GayWest Haven High School, West Haven, CTUniversity of New Haven
2014Hannah E. GreeneHill Regional Career High School, New Haven, CTYale University
2013Bryana BraxtonDaniel Hand High School, Madison, CTAmerican University
2013Brandi FullwoodJames Hillhouse High School, New Haven, CTMiddlebury College
2012Brianna Blunt James Hillhouse High School, New Haven, CT Parsons the New School for Design 
2012 Aloysia Jean James Hillhouse High School, New Haven, CT  Georgetown University
2011Dominique HaywoodAmith Regional High School, Woodbridge, CTNortheastern University
2011Maria ArnoldHigh School in the Community, New Haven, CTQuinnipiac University
2010Shayna SmithJames Hillhouse High School, New Haven, CTUniversity of Connecticut
2010Joshua ThomasHill Regional Career High School, New Haven, CTSouthern Connecticut State University
2009Ashley McWilliamsJames Hillhouse High School, New Haven, CTUniversity of Connecticut
2009Kathleen SmithCooperative Arts and Humanities High School, New Haven, CTSouthern Connecticut State University
2008Timothy JonesCooperative Arts and Humanities High School, New Haven, CTMorehouse College 
2007Melissa MaysJames Hillhouse High School, New Haven, CT Georgetown University 
2007Carissa Wright Cheshire High School, Cheshire, CT Boston College