(October 10, 2014)

Sadie Wallace '16 receives Rotary Club's James Allen Jr. Memorial Scholarship

SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary's Sadie Wallace '16 was awarded the annual Rotary Club of Shreveport James Allen Memorial Scholarship at a recent Rotary meeting.

The James Allen Jr. Scholarship award was created in 2003 by late club member Jimmie Allen and his wife through a bequest to the Rotary Club of Shreveport Foundation, honoring their deceased son and Centenary alumnus, James Allen Jr. The stipulation of the bequest was that the income be used to provide an annual scholarship to a "deserving Centenary student." Each year Centenary's Financial Aid director identifies a Centenary student as the scholarship recipient who exhibits exemplary scholarship, personal integrity, and a dedication to the Rotary tradition of "service above self."

"It was a great honor to be recognized and to be chosen for something like this," said Wallace. "I was not expecting it at all and was shocked when Lynette Viskozki (director of Financial Aid) told me the news."

Wallace is currently studying psychology and maintains a 3.86 GPA. Originally from Shreveport, she is a member of Chi Omega sorority and Psi Chi psychology honor society. Wallace is also a dancer and has participated in the Theater School of Dance in Shreveport for 14 years. She is a participant in the Christian Leadership Center; plays the piano for the weekly student-led worship service, Stepping Stones; and leads worship at Redeeming Love Fellowship Church where her father serves as the Pastor.

"It's a lot," said Wallace. "But it's also an honor and a privilege to lead people in worship," said Wallace.

Wallace hopes to incorporate her faith with her future career as a Christian counselor for survivors of abuse and help clients realize their worth, value, and purpose in life.

"This is a new passion that developed since starting Centenary," said Wallace. "I became interested in a local organization called Purchased that provides ways for women to get out of the sex industry and I realized I wanted to be part of that. That influenced my decision to study psychology so I could one day counsel those survivors."

After graduation, Wallace plans to pursue a master's degree in social work or counseling and hopes to work for an international organization. Wallace has already worked in Panama and Colombia on mission trips and looks forward to traveling to wherever she can assist people in need.