Phyllis Marie Brackett Memorial Scholarship
established in 2018
Phyllis Marie Brackett: 7/10/1956 - 1/4/2018
Mission
The Phyllis Marie Brackett Memorial Scholarship, is a fund dedicated to providing financial support to African American, high school girls, from Monticello High School in Charlottesville, VA who will be attending college the following year. The scholarship assists the selected recipient in their transition from high school to college. The funds will cover the financial needs of the recipient as she prepares for her first year of college. This scholarship is not intended to pay for college tuition. Focusing on the needs of African American girls who are college bound but are also first generation college students, from a single parent household, and concerned about their ability to afford all aspects of the college experience, this scholarship is dedicated to closing an often unattended to gap of high school to college transition. The 501c3 status allows the organization to request donations that will build the stability of the scholarship fund and maintain the yearly award of at least one scholarship.
About the scholarship
This scholarship is named after and is in memory of my late mother who passed away in January 2018 from complications with breast cancer. One day driving with her in the summer of 2018, after hearing someone on the radio say they won $30,000,000 my mother asked me, "Toy, what would you do with $30,000,000?" I said a couple of things but most importantly, I said this: "I'd like to start a scholarship for girls like me." After my mother passed, I realized, why can't I create a scholarship. What is stopping me from helping girls like me?
This scholarship is a scholarship for the transition from high school to college. The period between high school graduation and welcome week of college can be more difficult for girls like me. An African American female, first generation, lower income, who focuses academically but still contends with the fact that she is the only one in her family to take on the journey of higher education. How do you pay for the travel to your new school? Who will pay for the items you need in your dorm room? Who will pay for a computer? What if you need something that you didn't prepare for ahead of time? This scholarship is for those things and more. It may be a small amount, in comparison to other scholarships, but this one goes to establishing a stable and well structured bridge for a new journey.
This Transition Scholarship will go to an African American young lady from Monticello High School, located in Charlottesville, Virginia every year. It is the girl like me scholarship. Click below to learn about recipients.
Phyllis with her daughter (founder of PMB) LaToya, circa 1985.
Phyllis and LaToya circa 2015.
Board of Directors
LaToya T. Brackett
LaToya is the daughter of Phyllis, and the founder of the scholarship.
Simone Brackett
Simone is the niece of Phyllis, and a dedicated secondary educator.
Macha O’Brien Townsend
Macha has been a great friend of the Brackett family for over a decade.
Zanetta Ford-Byrd
Zanetta has been a major advocate for student success, and a partner in the development of the scholarship.
2024 Scholarship
Recipient
In 2024 we have one recipient of the scholarship. We do hope to offer more than one scholarship every year, as we have in the past. Be sure to support us by donating and spreading the word.
Chloie M-B. PMB Scholar 2024
Chloie
Meck-Brice
HS graduation year: 2024
High School: Monticello High School
Extracurricular Activities: AVID, National Art Honor Society, National Latin Honor Society
University she will attend: Undecided
What it means to go to college: Being a first generation student can feel like a heavy label because you are expected to break the cycle. Breaking the cycle is an accomplishment, yes, but knowing you're doing it for yourself is so much better. This scholarship means that I can further my education without being distracted by other costly necessities. I just know that this will make the transition from high school to higher education a bit easier.
What she plans to major in: Undecided
A class she’d love to take in college: Forensic Science
Her favorite thing to do: Reading, drawing, and baking.
Her role model: My mother because she has made me who I am today. She’s someone who doesn't discourage me from what I want to do and that's been very helpful.
Someone she’d like to thank: I'd like to thank Mr. Simms for making psychology fun, especially for a college class, Mr. Trent for pushing me and helping me set my life up, and lastly Mr. Ahrens for being so passionate about teaching because that does make a difference to students.
A place she’d love to visit: I want to visit Iceland because it's a dream of mine to see the Northern Lights.
Phyllis Marie Brackett Memorial Scholarship is an IRS designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all monetary donations are tax deductible.
Executive Director: LaToya Brackett, PhD | pmbscholarship@gmail.com
