METAIRIE — Jefferson Dollars for Scholars, a Metairie-based nonprofit chapter of the national Scholarship America organization, announces the awarding of scholarships totaling nearly $184,000 to some 80 Jefferson Parish Schools students. The annual awards ceremony takes place on Thursday, June 5, starting at 3 p.m. at the Jefferson Parish Library, 4747 West Napoleon Avenue in Metairie.
College scholarship recipients, with an average ACT score of 28 and average 4.36 GPA, plan to attend universities and colleges throughout Louisiana, as well as several out-of-state schools including Cornell University. The students also receive laptop computers. In addition to honoring Class of 2025 graduates, the organization presents Academic Enrichment awards to more than 40 students in grades K–8 for summer arts, performing arts and STEM camps.
“We continue to be amazed at the academic achievements of Jefferson Parish Schools students,” says Lisa Conescu, executive director of Jefferson Dollars for Scholars. “For 32 years, it has been our honor to help these academically and financially deserving young people on their college and career paths.”
One of those high-achieving former scholarship recipients returns this year as the 2025 Alum of Distinction and keynote speaker for the Awards Ceremony. Suzanne Thibodeaux, MD, PhD, received a scholarship from the organization as a senior at East Jefferson High School. She went on to graduate from Tulane University and the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio. Dr. Thibodeaux is currently an associate professor of pathology and immunology and section head of transfusion medicine at Washington University Medical School in St. Louis. In addition, she serves as a medical director and laboratory director at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Representing eight different Jefferson Parish public high schools, this year’s college scholarship recipients are: Chloe Babin, Caitlin Baldwin, Savannah Barousse, Alexander Boudreaux, Faith Bran, Jas’myn Cade, Sullivan Cantrelle, Alejandra Carvajal, Skylar Dang, Alissa DeLatte-Noel, Andrew Ebid, Lamees Eslaih, Reynaldo Espinoza, Aviska Fernando, Laila Fredieu, Anashe Gaseller, Razina Habib, Julia Hosch, Markus Jackson-Royal, Heather Kaska, Brooklyn Kaska, Thomas Kaska, Timothy Kim, Milan LaFlair, Hyowon Lee, Yea Lee, Angel Ma, Omyrie Massey, Rahul Mavadia, John Navarre, Tu Nguyen, Dulce Ramirez-Garcia, Emily Ramos-Tabora, Hasher Rao, Ramis Shabbeer, Kaden Smith, Jayla St. Cyr-Thompson, Jeneen Suboh and Kathy Tran.
Sponsors of the Jefferson Dollars for Scholars scholarship program are Atmos Energy, Capital One, Cox, Entergy, Bruce J. Heim Foundation, Lakeside Shopping Center, Metairie Bank & Trust, Metairie Pontchartrain Lions Club, Joyce Marsalis Morris Memorial Award, New Orleans Central City Lions Club, Drs. Suma and Ravi Reddy, Henry and Pat Shane, and Bill and Beth Watson.
About Jefferson Dollars for Scholars:
Jefferson Dollars for Scholars is a chapter of Scholarship America, the largest privately funded scholarship organization in the world. Established by community leaders in Jefferson Parish in 1993, Jefferson Dollars for Scholars prioritizes public school education for students K–12 and helps make post-secondary education accessible to financially and academically deserving public school students in the area. The organization involves and engages with families, the school system, business community, civic and other nonprofit leaders, and colleges and universities to provide opportunities that benefit Jefferson Parish public school students.