When encouraged to apply for the Coveris Georgia Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (GAFCS) Undergraduate Scholarship, Fort Valley State University junior MeaLenea Homer wasted no time stepping to the challenge. The 20-year-old FCS major from Stone Mountain, Georgia, said her mentor, Dr. Linda Johnson, an FVSU associate professor of food and nutrition, recommended the scholarship.
“MeaLenea is very smart and recognizes the importance of doing the work. She also recognizes the importance of having dreams. She does not take situations that she has been a part of lightly,” Johnson said.
The GAFCS recently recognized Homer during its annual meeting at the University of Georgia (UGA) Griffin campus. Although hopeful when applying for the $1,500 educational scholarship in January, Homer did not expect to win, nor to be the first student ever to receive it.
“It was unbelievable,” she said with a grin. “It is such an honor.” Homer said this recognition is not just her award alone. “It’s for the people behind me to do better than me. There is excellence everywhere at Fort Valley State University. I just want the people behind me, especially in our department, to know that anything is possible,” she said, encouraging other students to take advantage of available scholarships.
To apply for the Coveris scholarship, students must be a member of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) and its state affiliate (GAFCS), enrolled in an undergraduate FCS program or a related program in the state of Georgia and making satisfactory progress. Other requirements include participation in community service activities and professional leadership development activities in student organizations.
Dr. Vivian Fluellen, chair of FVSU’s Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, commends Homer on her involvement not only in the classroom, but also in the community.
“We are very proud of MeaLenea as she is an outstanding student in many ways. Just recently, the FVSU DeKalb County Alumni Association awarded her a book scholarship for her commitment to serving the community and helping those in need,” Fluellen said.
Homer decided to pursue an FCS degree at FVSU because of her interest in the program. “I like the fact that food is healing and can be used as medicine,” said Homer, whose degree concentration is in foods and nutrition.
Motivated by her mentor to explore her creativity, the Family and Consumer Sciences Club vice president advises other students pursuing an FCS degree to do the same. “Don’t be afraid to stand out and think of new ideas. Follow the beat of your own drum,” she said.
Her career goal after graduation is to pursue a master’s degree in FCS. Additionally, she wants to explore the idea of becoming a food entrepreneur and work on developing vegetable products such as sweet potato candy, collard chips and a sweet tea icy. Because Coveris is an international manufacturing company with locations in Georgia, she noted she could potentially work with them in the future.
For more information about applying for the Coveris GAFCS Undergraduate Scholarship, visit https://bit.ly/2HnTvpj.