The annual Norma Jean Bradford Scholarship, in the amount of $500, was awarded to a pair of Charleston High School Class of 2026 graduating seniors.
Both Nakiya Cashaw and Lemar Frost graduated with honors during recent CHS commencement exercises.
“They both had impressive GPAs and wrote excellent essays on continuing their education,” said Bradford. “I really enjoyed reading them.”
Cashaw will be attending Jackson State University and Frost, Mississippi Valley State University.
“They have been accepted into respective colleges of their choice and are well on their way to a bright future,” Bradford said. “I wish them nothing but the best.”
A 1983 graduate of CHS from Cascilla, Bradford’s award is made available to any deserving CHS student who has completed the application process and chosen to attend an historically Black college or university.
After high school, Bradford graduated from MVSU.
“I believe, to this day, that going to college changed the course of my life,” noted Bradford. “My HBCU holds a special place in my heart, and I would like to see other students from CHS attend MVSU or any HBCU. With this scholarship opportunity, I would like to help them do so.”
While at MVSU, Bradford participated in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Army program and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve.
She went on to serve for over 27 active years and retired at the senior rank of colonel in 2017.
Besides the love and support from her family, Bradford believes her HBCU laid the foundation for her successful career in the military and thereafter.
She also still has some of the same friends that she met while attending MVSU.
