Garland, TX – The Gideon Group of North Texas held its 2nd Annual Scholarship Awards event, themed “Pathways to Possibilities,” at the Granger Recreation Center. The event celebrated the achievements of local students by presenting six scholarships for both master’s and undergraduate levels, as well as an additional scholarship for someone pursuing a trade.
The program kicked off with a warm welcome from Tanya Downing, who then introduced Rev. Larry Walker, the visionary behind the Gideon Project. Rev. Walker spoke about the initiative’s commitment to uplifting under-resourced communities, and also took a moment to acknowledge sponsors and special guests, including John Washington, Mike Bencheck, Krysten Walker, the Irby Family, Edna Pemberton, and city officials who support the mission.
The evening featured heartfelt testimonials, including one from Mr. Anthony Allen, which set the tone for the keynote address delivered by Pastor Kurtan Wright. Wright, who has dedicated his life to outreach and missions, emphasized the importance of persistence and faith in overcoming life’s challenges. With a wealth of experience in community service and a passion for helping those in need, his words resonated deeply with attendees.
Photos courtesy of Merrill Balanciere
The event recognized six outstanding scholarship recipients, among them was Jakius Greene-Smith, a recent graduate of Garland High School, who received the John Washington Social Work in an Education Emphasis undergraduate scholarship. He will be attending East Texas A&M University, where he aspires to make a meaningful impact in education. The master’s scholarship in the same category was awarded to Zania Waheed, currently pursuing her Master’s in Counseling at Lamar University. Zania is dedicated to advocating for mental health, aiming to provide essential support to those in need.
Additionally, Moriah Session was honored with the Mike Bencheck Social Work scholarship for her focus on Substance Abuse, Criminal, or Mental Health Emphasis. She will continue her studies at Lehigh University to earn her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The Krysten Walker Memorial Scholarship, aimed at minority women pursuing Social Work with a Public Administration Emphasis, was awarded to Christionna Johnson, a Garland High School graduate who plans to major in Public Health at Prairie View University. Rounding out the awards, Xaiver Trent received the Sam Irby Family Trades Scholarship, which supports students in vocational fields; he will attend East Texas A&M to study Music Education with a minor in Communications. Lastly, Parker Jackson, a graduate of Skyline High School, was awarded the Edna Pemberton Memorial Scholarship for a minority student pursuing Humanities or Community Development, and will be attending Louisiana State University to study Mass Communications. Each of these recipients embodies the spirit of perseverance and commitment to their communities, promising to create positive change in their respective fields.
The Gideon Project, led by Rev. Walker, aims to provide a comprehensive support system for those in need, helping individuals rediscover purpose and dignity while fostering community integration. Through partnerships and a deep commitment to service, the Gideon Group aims to build a movement that empowers individuals to achieve long-term success.
