Hightower Scholars Inc., a nonprofit organization that assists students with their preparation for a postsecondary education at a four-year college or university, is accepting applications for its annual Clarence James Memorial Scholarship. Headquartered in Lower Burrell, the organization comprises members of the Hightower family, who established the scholarship to provide financial assistance to a first-year African-American, Hispanic or American-Indian college student.
The award can be used for books and supplies at any four-year college or university. The scholarship honors the memories of Clarence Graham and James Hightower, the late grandfathers of the organization's founders. The deadline for applications is March 1. In 2001, the Hightower family created the Mittie B. Hightower Memorial Scholarship at Penn State New Kensington. The $1,500 award supports minority students at the campus. The current recipients are Raymone Thomas of New Kensington, a bachelor of science in nursing major, and Lydia Johnson of Monroeville, a radiological sciences major. For more on all Hightower scholarships, visit http://www.hscholars.org/ online.