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LORETTA NICKENS BOOK AWARD

The 2025 application will open in April 2025.

For more information, contact our scholarship committee at scholarships.dstlexky@gmail.com

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is an organization of college- educated women committed to the constructive development of its members and to public service, with a primary focus on the Black community. This book award/scholarship is presented in honor of Mrs. Loretta Nickens, a loving and caring educator, and deceased member, who endowed this scholarship to encourage high school girls to develop a love for reading and communication skills and to inspire them to higher goals.

The purpose of this scholarship is to provide a merit- based financial award to an African American student who excels in English/Language Arts or an English- related course and plans to attend college. Applicants must live and consistently identify as female (she, her, etc.) regardless of gender as assigned at birth.

2025 SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants must be a graduating senior of any public high school or special learning program associated with the Lexington-Fayette County Public Schools.
Applicants must plan to attend an institution of higher learning as a full-time student for the upcoming academic semester.
Grade point average of 2.5 or higher and any of the following:

School or community awards/recognitions
Involvement in community/ volunteer /civic activities
Noteworthy achievement

Applicants must submit a copy of their transcript with GPA.
Applicants must excel in English/ Language Arts or any English related course.
Please note applicants whose mother is an active/financial member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. are not eligible to apply.

This award is presented in honor of Mrs. Loretta Nickens, one of our chapter’s most endeared former members. Mrs. Nickens exemplified the true meaning of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was a revered educator and University of Kentucky Donovan scholar. A former teacher in Detroit, Michigan, Ms. Nickens moved to Lexington in 1979. She worked tirelessly to better all of her students- especially African-American students- who many times were overlooked in our school system, and to advance and improve those within her community. Most importantly, on behalf of the sorority, she endowed a book scholarship fund to be used for young high school girls to encourage their love for reading and to inspire them to higher and loftier goals.