From left to right: Glenn, Tahiru, Stokes, Korley, Lukambo, Boansi

May 9, 2023 -- Congratulations to our 2023 Helen Jenkins Davis Scholarship winners!

• Brian Boansi (Northland High School)
• Jalen Glenn (Eastmoor Academy)
• Naa Shidaa Korley (Centennial High School)
• Juliane Lukambo (Northland High School)
• Alex Stokes (Whetstone High School)
• Baset Tahiru (Columbus Alternative High School)

The students were recognized on May 7, 2023, by the Lunch Bunch, sponsor of the Helen Jenkins Davis Scholarship. Each student received a $3,000 scholarship award, bookbag, and certificate. 

The Lunch Bunch is a group of retired African American educators committed to the needs of urban students, created an annual need-based scholarship for African-American Columbus City Schools graduates. The scholarship is named after Helen Jenkins Davis, a former Columbus Public Schools teacher and advocate for the rights of minority teachers and students. Through fundraising events, the group has provided scholarships for CCS seniors to achieve their goals and other projects, including providing elementary students with hats, gloves, books, and other items.

The organization celebrated 36 years of continuous service to young scholars of Columbus City Schools in 2022. The Lunch Bunch has awarded approximately $100,000 to more than 181 through 2022. For more information about the Lunch Bunch, email helenjdavisscholarslunchbunch@gmail.com or contact Shirley Cannon, president, at (614) 218-4839.

Background on Student Winners:

Brian Boansi (Northland High School) – 3.99 GPA, plans to attend The Ohio State University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

• National Honor Society
• CCS Student Ambassador
• Student Athlete - Cross Country
• Worthington Industries Intern

Jalen Glenn (Eastmoor Academy) – 3.7 GPA, plans to attend Xavier University, majoring in Biology

• Academic Honor Roll – four years
• National Society of Leadership and Success
• Student-athlete – Basketball and Volleyball (captain)
• Blacklick Woods Metro Woods Internship

Naa Shidaa Korley (Centennial High School) – 4.263 GPA, plans to attend The Ohio State University, majoring in Health Sciences

• Class President
• National Honor Society
• Mayor’s 20 Under 20
• Violinist – All City Orchestra

Juliane Lukambo (Northland High School) – 4.333 GPA, plans to attend the University of Dayton, majoring in Computer Science.

• Honor Roll Scholar
• Columbus State Community College; Dean’s List
• Student-athlete – Soccer and Bowling (captain)
• Ohio Department of Transportation Intern

Alexis Stokes (Whetstone High School) – 3.079 GPA, plans to attend The Ohio State University, majoring in Early Childhood Education.

• Super Honor Roll
• Cheerleader – Captain
• Marching Band
• Student-athlete – Track

Baset Tahiru (Columbus Alternative High School) – 3.69 GPA, plans to attend the University of Cincinnati, majoring in Computer Science.

• Super Honor Roll
• Most Improved Student
• Team member – Luv Michael Autism Fundraising
• Accenture and Junior Achievement Team