Harold Lloyd, III was reared in Annapolis Maryland’s Robinwood community. He was the inaugural Shelley C. White, Jr. Memorial Scholarship recipient in 2016. The nonprofit was founded in 2015 by Delores (DeDe) Duncan-White and Shelley C. White, III. Duncan-White, a retired Navy Commander and Assistant Athletic Director, Academics for Student Athletes at the Naval Academy Athletic Association (NAAA), continues to support young people like Lloyd to reach their academic goals.
Photo credit: Linda McCarthy of Visual Concepts
“I graduated from Frostburg State University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Law & Society and I obtained my master’s degree from Human Services. I am currently in the process of obtaining my doctoral degree in educational and organizational leadership from Holy Family University,” said Lloyd, while reflecting on his financial scholarship. “It made a difference, due to the fact I was oblivious of the financial process of college prior to my freshman year. This scholarship helped pay for my first year of school.”
Lloyd remarked that he is grateful for what “Ms. DeDe and the organization” did for him.
“It was imperative and played a pivotal role in my educational journey, especially since there are millions of students who are attending or attended college with little to no financial help.”
Duncan-White’s college years are rooted in Southern University and A&M College. The HBCU is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. While running a nonprofit, the Annapolitan also helps students to develop academic strategies for success, while navigating and taking advantage of the academic resources that are available to them.
“I work with all 36 varsity sports programs at the USNA to help athletes maintain academic eligibility to play sports and graduate, so they can receive a commission in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps,” said Duncan-White. “In my current capacity, I feel it is important to assist student athletes with figuring out the balance between academic and athletic requirements. Ensuring they are academically sound and have an organized plan is the key element that will allow them to perform in their respective athletic endeavors.”
Duncan-White further explained that her late husband retired from the Annapolis City Police Department and passed away May 22, 2015. His passion and legacy for helping people in general, but particularly youth, is underscored through the Shelley C. White, Jr. Memorial Scholarship.
Courtesy photo
“He was consistently aware of the overall climate in the community by sponsoring several youth programs focused on tutoring and mentoring at-risk and disadvantaged youth. My son (Shelley C. White, III) and I wanted to do something positive to keep his legacy alive and emulate him. We thought the best way to do this was by presenting an annual educational scholarship in his name, whose mission centered around youth engagement and community service,” said Duncan-White.
Shelley C. White, III attended the United States Naval Academy.
According to the White family’s nonprofit page, the cofounder of the Shelley C. White Jr. Memorial Scholarship “earned his Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a commission as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy. He also was a member of the Naval Academy football team, where he was a four-year letterman and a part of the winningest class in school history. In 2018, he was inducted into Spalding’s Athletic Hall of Fame.”
The White family’s work combines preserving the memory of Shelley C. White, Jr. with contributing to the career development of young men and women.
“The nonprofit supports graduating seniors in Anne Arundel County by providing them financial assistance in their pursuit of higher education in the form of college or trade school,” said Duncan-White. “We typically will award one to two scholarships annually depending on how many applicants we have and how competitive the applications are.”
One to two thousand dollars is awarded per recipient. Some requirements include being a graduating senior from a public high school in Anne Arundel County who is pursuing college or trade school.
Duncan-White added, “The application process is underway now and can be found on our website at www.shelleycwhitejrmemorial.com and via high school guidance counselors. The application deadline is Friday, April 12, 2024.”
A 2024 Denim & Diamonds Scholarship Gala will be held by the nonprofit on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 8 p.m. at 2 Pythian Drive in Edgewater, Maryland.
“People should support this cause because they are making an impact in the community and helping a plethora of students with their financial situation as they take on their educational journey,” said Lloyd.
Visit www.shelleycwhitejrmemorial.com for more information.