Multi-Ethnic Programs

Ames Scholarship

Meet the Newest Ames Scholars

Since the first group of Ames Scholars arrived at Seattle Pacific University in 2002, 44 students have been offered Ames Scholarships. The first Scholars to graduate became part of the SPU Class of 2005.

 

Below meet the newest Ames Scholars, a group of young leaders who will one day be part of the SPU Class of 2015.

 

Jacquelyn Billups

High School: Clover Park
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Intended Majors: Business (Finance), Music

Jacquelyn embodies SPU's commitment to changing the world through cultural understanding. "If you want to be a successful person by God's hands," she says, "then engage in the culture everywhere you go." In high school, Jacquelyn's talents in instrumental music were recognized through receiving the Lakewood Kiwanis Instrumental Musician's Award and the John Philip Sousa Award. Her leadership included serving as choreographer and percussionist for the school's Praise and Dance teams. At SPU she is involved in After Choir Flava', Black Student Union, Spoken Word, and Mosaic.

Marcus Davis

High School: St. Bernard Catholic High School
Hometown: Carson, CA
Intended Major: Music (Performance)

Music has always been a part of Marcus' life, especially in his high school jazz band where he participated for four years. "I have a passion for music and a desire to educate others on the love of Jesus Christ," Marcus says. Having attended a Catholic high school, he wanted his transition to college to be smooth. He found that SPU, a small Christian school, embodied many of his same values. "When I visited SPU the spring of my senior year, I immediately felt a sense of family and belonging. I knew then that was what I wanted in a university." At SPU, Marcus is involved in SPIRIT, Black Student Union, and Percussion Ensemble.

Kiona Hampton

High School: Rainier Beach
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Intended Majors: Music, Business

As a determined multicultural woman, Kiona is dedicated to being "a bridge builder ... and standing in the gap, even when it is a challenge." In high school, she played volleyball and basketball, served in student government, and was involved in theater/drama. In addition, Kiona has been committed to service both locally and globally. In Spring 2010, she went to Guatemala with Global Visionaries and helped build schools, process coffee, and assist families in need. Kiona chose SPU because "it was a school that revolved around community." She is involved in Black Student Union and Spoken Word.

Jonathan Holmes

High School: Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Intended Major: Music

Music, basketball, leadership, and community outreach have played significant roles in Jonathan's life. He played drums and trumpet in his school's jazz band and drums and piano for his church. Jonathan is very proud of winning two city basketball championships as a sophomore and as a junior. He was selected to participate in the California State Summer Institute for the Arts for two years, and in his senior year was selected for the National Achievement Scholarship Program. He hopes to become a music producer and "give back to the community that helped make me who I am today."

Gerdon Jones

High School: Henry Foss
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Intended Major: Sociology

Gerdon had a life-changing opportunity in 2010 when he traveled to Japan with the People to People Ambassador Program. Through experiences that included attendance at tea ceremonies, a visit to the Peace Memorial Museum, climbing Mount Fuji, and practicing calligraphy, he learned about the history and values of the Japanese people and made many new friends. Gerdon's commitment to athletics and academics was evident in being selected captain of his basketball team and receiving awards from the National Society of High School Scholars and College Success Foundation HERO program. At SPU, Gerdon is involved in Mosaic, Black Student Union, and intramural basketball.

Justin Lacy

High School: John F. Kennedy
Hometown: Tukwila, WA
Intended Major: Electrical Engineering

Justin's interests and talents are multifaceted. In high school, he served as a tutor for the MESA program (math, engineering, and science achievement) and was selected to participate in the University of Washington Engineering Department's four-week intensive summer Math Academy. He is a talented percussionist, rapper, and keyboard player and is self-taught in music production. In high school, Justin was involved with MESA, Black Achiever's Program, and multiple sports.

Shayla Reid

High School: Decatur
Hometown: Federal Way, WA
Intended Major: Biology, Premed

Shayla has a long history of commitment to her community, participating in activities such as the Back2School Bash , New Horizons Ministries homeless youth programs, the nursing ministry at her church, Black Student Union, and AVID Club. Shayla was one of four Federal Way School District seniors to receive the Thomas Murphy Academic Inspirational Scholarship Award. She loves SPU, saying, "My chemistry professor knows my name, which made me feel great." She aspires to become a pediatrician at Seattle's Children's Hospital.

Mayowa Sosanya

High School: Immaculate Heart High School
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Intended Major: Business (Accounting)

"Active" is the word that best describes Mayowa. In high school, she was involved in dance and Black Student Union, and she held leadership positions with the Los Angeles chapter of Jack and Jill of America, an organization committed to nurturing future leaders by supporting children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving, and civic duty. Mayowa received the Leadership Award from California Youth Think Tank, an award-winning youth leadership program held on the University of Southern California campus, and an "Outstanding Citizenship" award from Los Angeles City Council member Bernard Parks.

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