Varnado High School has been selected to receive the Melba Fae Esteen-Vining Scholarship.

The scholarship was created by Belinda Vining-Trepagnier and her company, Parishes Supportive Living, Inc., in memory of her mother, Melba Fae Vining, who passed away in 1989. An education advocate, she encouraged all six of her children to stay in school and receive a good education. She never missed a PTA/PTO meeting or parent conference, and she made it clear that school is important. She would not stand for anything less than graduating high school.

Varnado High School was selected by the PSL committee, comprised of Isaiah Vining, Rachel Wells-Vining, Sarah Wilson and Keith Vining.

Two graduating seniors from Varnado High will receive a check to be sent to the college they will be attending, as well as a special gift from Trepagnier and Parishes Supportive Living. The university selected must be a four-year school and the student must provide proof of acceptance to the university.

The selection committee will select the recipient based on a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, a financial need, participation in school activities, character and personality, a letter of recommendation from a Varnado High School teacher or counselor and one full page, hand-written essay on why they should receive the scholarship.

Applications are available from the guidance counselor at Varnado High School. All scholarship applicants will be interviewed at the school on a date selected by the PSL committee. The deadline to turn in applications is Monday, March 24. Scholarships will be presented by a member of the Vining family at the school awards day.

The scholarship committee encourages all students who qualify to apply. Parishes Supportive Living, Inc. has been presenting the Melba Fae Esteen-Vining scholarship for more than 9 years, donating more than $10,000 to deserving college-bound seniors.