Gaston Memorial Scholarship, Inc. is a public non-profit tax exempt organization in accordance with Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3). Donors can deduct contributions they make under IRC Section 170. We are considered a public charity under IRC 170 (b) (1) (A) (vi).
Each year Our Scholarship is awarded to two new graduates and this year UNFORTUNATELY WE WILL CONTINUE TO AWARD OUR GMS SCHOLARSHIP EVEN THOUGH WE WILL NOT HAVE OUR USUAL CEREMONY. WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE SOCIALLY SOON.
Mrs. Treyce' Spears, M.S., Chairperson, Bloomington
Dr. Kwame' Curtis, St. Louis, Missouri
Mr. Gary Muhammad, Bloomington, IL
Ms. Erika Baird, Indiana
Larry J. Spears, M.S., J.D., Bloomington. IL
GMS Scholarship Application Review Committee
Ramona Shaw
James Gaston
Muquaddim Haqq
Sherrie Moore
David Gaston
Eric Gaston
Robert L Gaston
Cleta Diane McDowell
Louis Shaw
Linda Gaston
Lyndze' Spears
Honorary (Posthumous) Board Members:
Jewell Curtis - M.S.
Allan Gaston- RN
Committee recommendations are submitted to the board for final evaluation and selection of scholarship recipient.
REMEMBER TO APPLY
GASTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, INC.
P.O. BOX 51
BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS 61702-51
WHATS IN A NAME?
Gloria Mae Swanson MacAvoy Moore Gaston- My mother shared with me that it was customary for descendant's of slaves to incorporate the names of all known relatives into a child's name. That is how they would know their kin if they were sold away.
Robert L. Gaston - Came by his name quite differently. Story goes that Grandma (Emma Gaston-Lopez) sent her brother down to the courthouse to name my father. As Samuel was in route, he decided that if he was doing the walking, he would name the baby after him. Daddy did not find out that his legal name was Samuel until he signed up for U.S. Service and needed a copy of his birth certificate. Long story short, he legally changed his name to the rightful name Grandma chose years ago.
Treyce' L Gaston-Spears
Updated 10/2/23
