By Tyra Jackson

The Selma Times-Journal 

Approximately 50 students and their parents assembled at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center to attend the seventh annual Gearing up for College seminar Thursday.

Representatives from Wallace Community College Selma, the University of Alabama, the Alabama National Guard and other colleges and universities across Alabama greeted students with information about enrollment and much more.

Staff Sgt. Desmicia Calhoun of the Alabama Army National Guard said she came out to the event to familiarize parents and students with the opportunities the Alabama National Guard has to offer.

“I think the event had a great turnout, and we reconnected with a lot of students,” she said. “We even had some people who are currently enlisted come out and were able to share their experiences with some of the students that were here.”

Selma City Council President Corey Bowie hosted the event in an effort to help students learn about their transition from high school to college.

“We have various universities here to talk about financial aid and housing,” said Bowie. “It will make the process easier for students.”

About the same number of students attended the event last year, and this year students from the Selma City, Dallas County and Perry County systems participated in the seminar.

Yet, Bowie said the most compelling matter of the evening was the scholarships, which were chosen at random, and awarded in honor of Dr. Geraldine Allen, former Selma city council president who died in 2010, and Alexis Hunter, a Selma High School student who was fatally shot in December 2013.

The Dr. Geraldine Allen Scholarship recipient, Royale Fikes of Robert C. Hatch High School, said she was delighted, yet surprised to receive the $500 scholarship.

“I wasn’t expecting anything tonight,” she said.

Angelica Shears, a senior at Selma High School received a $1,000 scholarship in honor of Hunter. Alexis’ mother, Joann Hunter Walker, was proud to see her daughter’s memory kept alive, and she thanks Bowie for what he’s done.

“I thank God for councilman Bowie, as well as other council members, for helping to keep her legacy alive,” Walker said. “We know our daughter is smiling in heaven for this honor.”