SIDNEY — The James P. Humphrey Sidney-Shelby County Black Achievers Scholarship Committee has announced award winners for 2017.

Awards were announced during the student awards assembly at Sidney High School, May 19.

Jenna Foster-Wheeler was awarded the $1,000 James P. Humphrey Scholarship.

A new $1,000 scholarship to honor the memory of Elder Claudie Johnson, a long-time committee member, was awarded to Jaydyn Ford.

Raymond Daniel, Allec Gordon, Braxtyn Lee, Tynisha Robinson and Celena Taborn were awarded $500 Black Achievers scholarships.

The scholarships were named in honor of James P. Humphrey, Sidney’s first African-American mayor.

In addition to the scholarships awarded to graduating seniors, collegians Lauryn Foster-Wheeler, Sylvia Hudson, and Brandi Johnson received educational grants to help them continue their post graduate educations at Blufton University, Urbana University and Wright State University, respectively.

The James P. Humphrey Sidney-Shelby County Black Achievers Scholarship Committee (BASC) was established on January 29, 1987. It is independent and is not affiliated with any other local, state, or national organization.

The objectives of the organization are to recognize and encourage African-American students who have demonstrated academic success, to provide incentives for them to continue their education beyond high school, and to assist financially-needy students who might not otherwise have an opportunity to attend college.

The BASC has also partnered with Edison Community College and The Ohio State University at Lima to provide additional scholarship money to scholarship recipients who attend those schools.

Since 1987, the committee has awarded more than $230,000 in scholarships to 159 Shelby County students.

Companies and individuals who wish to contribute to the Black Achievers Scholarship Fund may send their donations to BASC, P. O. Box 214, Sidney, OH 45365.