Saint Ursula Academy is proud of two students honored as finalists in the YWCA Greater Cincinnati Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship competition. The YWCA Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship was established in 1993 to provide financial assistance and support to an outstanding Black female Greater Cincinnati high school senior entering a post-secondary institution.
The scholarship is offered annually in conjunction with the
YWCA Career Women of Achievement. A committee evaluates and updates the scholarship application, assists in its distribution and promotion, and selects 10 finalists, which include two runners-up and one winner. Saint Ursula Academy senior
Alysa Christian of Forest Park
was selected as a Runner-Up in the contest. Saint Ursula Academy senior
Mya Dunn of Bond Hill earned Honorable Mention.
Alysa and Mya were among the ten talented students honored for their outstanding achievements during the
Career Women of Achievement Broadcast on April 22, 2021. Organizers read a short bio for each student and then each student was given a minute or two to thank those who have contributed to their high school success. Mya and Alysa both thanked their families and teachers at SUA for helping to propel them forward.
Evaluation criteria include academic record, personal challenges and hardships, ACT and/or SAT scores (optional), letters of recommendation, class rank, honors and awards, involvement in extra-curricular activities and community service, and employment history. Applicants are required to write two brief essays, one describing their greatest challenge and how it has affected them, and one explaining what Mamie Earl Sells’ philosophy, “Lift as we climb,” means to them.
Mamie Earl Sells was committed to young people, promoting programs that encouraged them to expand and improve their personal lives and career opportunities. This scholarship is dedicated to her memory, honoring her loyalty and service to the community through her volunteer work in the arts, education, racial justice programs and social services. Personally dedicated to the YWCA during the last decade of her life, Mamie played a leadership role in developing the Career Women of Achievement event and served as board member, vice president of membership and overall friend to the YWCA.
Winner was Trinity Robinson of Northwest High School. SUA congratulates all of the candidates and finalists on this impressive honor.