Happy Mardi Gras, Miss-Lou! The Krewe of Phoenix is in full swing with our salute to Motown.

We are looking forward to our Phoenix parade Friday, followed by our grand ball Saturday.

Many people are unaware that the krewe is involved in more than parades and parties, and that is what I want to bring to your attention.

The Krewe of Phoenix awards the John S. Callon Scholarship each year to a deserving high school graduate. This scholarship is in memory of our first king, Mr. Callon.

Our only criteria is that the candidate have college capacity and be in need of financial assistance. Information packets have been mailed to area guidance counselors. I am encouraging all graduating seniors to contact your guidance counselors and apply.

Applicants should include a high school transcript, ACT or SAT score, letters of recommendation and a completed application and Krewe of Phoenix questionnaire.

A panel of educators outside the Miss-Lou will evaluate the applications based on a rubric that applicants can also get from their guidance counselors.

The panel will be looking at the applicant’s grade point average as well as ACT score.

They will also look at the difficulty level of courses the applicant has taken, including AP courses and upper level sciences and maths. Applicants should include any honors they have received such as class rank, valedictorian/salutatorian and awards.

The panel will look at involvement in extracurricular activities, arts, athletics, jobs and leadership roles. Community service is important to the Krewe of Phoenix.

Judges will want to know in which community service projects applicants have been involved.

Applicants are also asked to include an essay explaining “Why you want to continue your education and what you plan for your life.”

The applications should be mailed no later than Wednesday, March 30.

Please mail them to me at 415 South Rankin St., Natchez MS, 39120.

The panel of judges will evaluate the applications on Friday April 1.

Applications received after March 30 will be ineligible.

Graduates, please contact your guidance counselors for an application. We look forward to awarding the John S. Callon Scholarship to a deserving Miss-Lou graduate.

Donations to the John S. Callon Scholarship in memory or in honor of someone can be mailed to the above address.

Tanna Davis is the Krewe of Phoenix scholarship chairman.