Hallie Day Blackburn Scholarship – Yalonda Green

Yalonda JD Green is a vocalist, poet, and creative jane from Detroit. She is a 2017 Beta Phi Mu Sarah Rebecca Reed scholarship recipient, the 2016-2017 ALSC Spectrum Scholar, and a Cave Canem alumni fellow. As children's "librarylady," Yalonda combines herselves as performer, educator, and literacy hypewoman at the Louisville Free Public Library. Since completing her PhD in Humanities from the University of Louisville in 2011, JD engages community through arts workshops and volunteering with Girls Rock Louisville. You can find her singing aftrobeat with The Afrophysicists and sharing her unique blend of soul and vocal improvisation in Louisville, Kentucky.

Hallie D. Blackburn Scholarship - Raychel Bennet

Raychel graduated this past May from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. She would love to work for the Louisville Free Public Library system, where she can foster a love for literature through community outreach. Raychel is incredibly excited to begin her work with UK's MSLS program this fall and develop all the skills she can to help her community at large.

Helen E. Fry Scholarship – Laura Beth Fox-Ezell

Laura Beth Fox-Ezell is pursuing her master’s degree in Library Science through the University of Kentucky’s distance learning program while working full time as the Educational Delivery Services Coordinator at the Warren County Public Library in Kentucky. She is passionate about developing and improving library services, particularly outreach initiatives and physical literacy initiatives. In her time at Warren County, she has expanded the Educational Services department, cultivated yoga and mindfulness programing, and launched Warren County’s first Seed Library.

Vivian J. and Melissa MacQuown Forsyth Fellowship Fund – Claire Schoeder

Claire Schroeder is a graduate student in the Library Science program at UK and is focusing her studies on youth services and literature in order to become a children’s librarian.  She is a 2012 graduate of Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, where she received a B.A. in history and English with a minor in American studies.  A lifelong lover of books and learning, she resides in Cincinnati and spends her days working for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

Broyles Scholarship – Avvyella Bragg

Avvyella Bragg is a first year student at the University of Kentucky perusing her Master of Library Science. She is a recent graduate from Berea College. Avvyella is originally from West Virginia, where she was homeschooled by her loving parents. Avvyella is very grateful to be able to continue her education in the mountains of Appalachia.