2026 JMBFL Scholars

Heaven Everage

Heaven Everage is a senior at Alton High School who maintains an exceptional GPA while dedicating countless hours to community service that supports the mission of the YWCA. Passionate about mental health advocacy, she plans to pursue a nursing degree with the goal of becoming a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Heaven is a dynamic student leader, serving as President of the National Council of Negro Women Alton Youth Section, Youth Dance Ensemble Leader for 3 Purple Coats Productions, Cheerleading Captain for both JV and Varsity, Sports Editor for journalism, and a Link Crew Leader and Student Council Advisory Representative.

She is also active as an AACE Student Leader and Assistant Copy Editor for the Tatler. Heaven’s many honors include membership in the National Honor Society, the Senior Scholar Award from the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association, the Silver Medallion Academic Excellence Award, recognition as an Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club Student of the Month, NCNW Youth Member of the Month, Varsity Cheerleading MVP for the 2024–2025 season, and consistent placement on the Alton High Honor Roll.

Layna Powers

Layna Powers is a senior at Highland High School who has distinguished herself through outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and extensive community involvement. She plans to major in Marketing and pursue a career as a Brand Manager. Layna is the founder of the Highland High Spanish Club, created to promote cultural awareness and inclusivity while highlighting issues affecting women in Hispanic communities. She also serves on the Senior Class Executive Board and is Co-Founder, President, and Senior Editor of the Highland High Media Production Club, while captaining the school’s Cross Country Team and representing student athletes on the Athletic Council.

Ranked #1 in her class, Layna has earned numerous honors including Illinois State Scholar recognition, Platinum Transportation Student of the Month, Graduation Marshal distinction, High Honor Roll, and first place in the VFW Voice of Democracy Essay Contest, all while working part-time during high school.

Cameron B. Conwell - Renewal

Cameron B. Conwell is currently a student at Xavier University of Louisiana. Her career goal is to become a forensic pathologist, and she is driven by the desire to promote justice and peace wherever she goes.

Cameron is a part of Mobilization at Xavier (MAX), a group of student volunteers attending her university. She is also a part of thy National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) collegiate section. Her favorite volunteer experience involved cleaning and painting Haagar’s House, a safe space for women and children in need of resources as they transition towards sustainable housing. She also played with the children there and heard stories of the people Haagar’s House aided. She also gave her time to YWCA’s night at the Christmas Wonderland and to the Lafon Nursing Home.

She used all of her scholarship on her tuition in her first semester at Xavier University.

Jada Bruce - Renewal

Jada Bruce is a student at Lewis and Clark Community College currently studying architectural technology. She will receive her associate degree in May 2026 and is looking for an internship for the summer for some real hands-on experience in her field. Her career goal is to be an architect, helping people see their dream homes come to life. Her ultimate dream is to start her own firm and contracting business. Her sights are set on a master’s degree to make that happen.

Jada is a very active volunteer. She continues to meet with NCNW, mentoring young girls. She lent a hand at ABAA Trivia for St. John Missionary Baptist, College for Life Trivia at Post Commons, YWCA Trivia Night, A Precious Organization Sickle Cell Walk, Trunk or Treat at Alton High School, rang a bell for the Salvation Army, created snack bags for Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (CHIPP), helped with registration at an American Red Cross Blood Drive, and helped supervise children at the “Back to Mexico” block party here in Alton.

She spent her scholarship completely on her tuition this year, and is looking forward to blazing through her remaining college years.

Samantha Kulish - Renewal

Samantha Kulish is attending Illinois State University, majoring in Human Development and Family Science with a minor in Children’s Studies. Her current career goal is to work in the social service field as an Intact Family Specialist. She is part of the Honors Program at ISU and has joined the Child Life Club and ISU-CFR, clubs that correlate with her major and benefit children and their families who are experiencing a stay in the hospital. What she learns through her classes and club activities, she plans to apply in her career in the social service field, creating inclusive spaces with a real sense of belonging for those who need it most.

Samantha has volunteered her time tutoring students with learning disabilities. She has also spent some volunteer time as an office assistant at ABC Counseling & Family Services.

With her scholarship, she was able to pay for textbooks and other supplies needed for her classes, freeing up her time to spend on her studies and building her relationships within her community.

Isabella Hall - Renewal

Isabella Hall is attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, studying mathematics with a specialization in Actuarial Science. She plans to take an internship with Travelers Insurance. She hopes to eventually work on a sustainability policy that incentivizes risk management related to weather, climate, and environmental changes. With these policies, she hopes to help businesses in lower income communities get better access to policies and plans that focus on long term growth.

Isabella has volunteered her time with Metro Humane Society, an animal shelter, and “Support the Girls" for Project Homeless Connect. She also gave her time assisting the elderly and tutoring children at Alton Middle School.

Her scholarship helped her pay for class fees, tuition, and lab fees that covered a special section of a coding software course which taught her new technical skills and helped her land her new internship.