Community-driven church uplifts Metro East youth with nearly $26,000 in academic scholarships for the Class of 2025.
AYP – Committed to empowering individuals through literacy, achievement, and educational advancement
Since 2003, the O’Fallon, Ill. Church Has Given More than $400K in Scholarships to Deserving Students
O’FALLON, Ill. (June 6, 2025) – Twelve Metro-East high school graduates are receiving a financial boost for college thanks to New Life in Christ Church awarding $25,700 in scholarships during its recent Celebration of Education baccalaureate service held on Sunday, May 25.
Since its founding 22 years ago, the O’Fallon, Ill. church has provided $405,000 in scholarships to 210 college bound students throughout the St. Louis region in Illinois and Missouri. The annual Celebration of Education event recognizes New Life in Christ members who are graduating from high school, college and graduate school as well as those transitioning from elementary and middle school levels. The New Life in Christ Scholarship program supports one of the church’s core values through its commitment to promote continued educational success.
“For many students who will be heading to college this fall, there are uncertainties surrounding whether they’ll have access to federal student loans and grants due to on-going program changes at the U.S. Department of Education,” said Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley, Sr., PhD, DMin, New Life’s Senior Pastor. “We hope the New Life scholarships will provide the financial foundation needed for students to pursue their academic dreams.”
Scholarship recipients are chosen based on their high academic achievement and their ability to demonstrate a love for serving others as well as their communities. All applicants submit written essays on specific topics provided by the church and are then interviewed by members of New Life’s scholarship committee. Those receiving the highest scores are awarded scholarships which have a monetary range of $1,000 to $4,500.
Also, during the program, the church recognized two students posthumously – Khloé Tucker and Jermel Ware. Before their deaths, Tucker attended Shiloh Middle School in Shiloh, Ill. and Ware attended West Jr. High School in Belleville, Ill. Both would have transitioned from eighth grade to attend high school this fall.
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The 2025 New Life in Christ Scholarship recipients are:
• Tyeler Williams, O’Fallon Township High School, Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley, Sr. Pastoral Scholarship of Excellence, $4,500
• Aria Brown, East St. Louis Senior High School, John H. McCants Hope Scholarship, $3,500
• Andriana Williams, Mascoutah Community High School, Bishop Leamon & Ida Dorothy Dudley Memorial Scholarship, $2,500
• Olivia Montgomery, Cahokia High School, Minister Sheila Renee Swygert Memorial Scholarship, $2,500
• Makayla Madison, Belleville Township High School West, New Life in Christ Life Changer Scholarship, $2,000
• Quincy Martin, Belleville Township High School West, New Life in Christ Life Changer Scholarship, $2,000
• Paige Clayton, Edwardsville High School, New Life in Christ Life Changer Scholarship, $2,000
• Ashleigh Spencer, O’Fallon Township High School, Strong Beginnings NFP, Inc. Scholarship, $1,500
• Kayden Criss, O’Fallon Township High School, Gerald T. Washington Memorial Scholarship
• Loyal Flanders, Althoff Catholic High School, Earnest Cotton Memorial Scholarship, $1,500
• Kamora Davis, Althoff Catholic High School, Financial Peace Scholarship of Excellence, $1,200
• Loriahna Green, East St. Louis Senior High School, Chyriell Drain-Hill Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
New Life in Christ Church, which was founded in 2003, continues to be one of the fastest growing churches in the Metro East.
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