The Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority is inviting applications for its C. Darline Shepherd Scholarship.

The scholarship has been set up to help a high school senior defray the cost of attending a college/university of the student’s choosing the following fall semester/quarter upon graduation.

The local chapter has set the following criteria to apply for the scholarship:

— Must be an African-American male or female.

— Must be attending an Arkansas public high school in Columbia County or be a resident of Columbia County.

— Minimum ACT score of 16 and/or a high school grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Applicants must compete an application, provide a seven-semester transcript, and provide a copy of ACT scores.

In addition, applicants must have three letters of recommendation — Two from a faculty/staff at the high school, and one from a member of the community.

They must also submit an essay with 250-300 words. The essay must include a description of the family/personal background, career aspirations, financial need, and how this scholarship would benefit the application.

The application must be returned by the deadline of June 30. Send applications to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Paula Washington-Woods, Scholarship Chair, Phi Zeta Omega Chapter, 7331 Hwy 98 Magnolia, AR 71753

Two scholarship awards valued at $500 each will be presented. One will be awarded to a student attending a historically black college (HBCU). They are not renewable.

For more information contact Natasha Coleman, 870-562-3206; Tavon Lowe, 870-299-0817; Paula Washington Woods, 870-904-9042.

Black college women at Howard University established the sorority at Washington, D.C. in 1908. The efforts of Alpha Kappa Alpha women promote high scholarship, vocational and career guidance, health services, and the advancement of human and civil rights.