Members of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., in Rochester are hosting a scholarship gala this week to raise money for college bound students.

“We’ve been able to disseminate over $3,000 to youth within the community, so we have young ladies who’ve been able to purchase books at school or tie up some of those loose ends financially,” said Jeanell Coleman-Grimes, a Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Theta Omega Sigma alumnae chapter member.” It’s really important because it would be the difference between whether or not someone’s able to make a purchase in college.”

Ayanna Sampson knows that well. She was a basketball star at Aquinas Institute of Rochester. She tore her ACL twice which allowed her to gain exposure to the medical field.

 “I really liked it a lot and I want to help people," she said. As a scholarship recipient and freshman at the University of Albany studying human biology and Spanish, she said the scholarship helps tremendously.

“Without feeling stressed about if I would be able to pay for it, will I be able to go to school next semester, it’s giving me that peace of mind,” she said.

For prospects, the extra funding is helpful.

“For future generations, the cost of college is rising, so receiving these scholarships will offset the cost of that,” Sampson said.

Thus far, there have been nine scholars in Monroe County over the past two years.

The scholarship gala will take place Friday, November 9, at the Italian American Center at 6:30pm.

More information on the event is available by calling Coleman-Grimes at 585-708-9115 or emailing tos.sgrho@gmail.com.