Congratulations to Shekinah Nissi Lightner recipient of the $10,000 James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship for 2016.  Shekinah is the daughter of Israel and Audrey Lightner.  She graduated from South Pointe High School, Rock Hill, South Carolina, with a 5.030 GPA.  Ranked 4th in her class of 319, Shekinah was named Student of the Year, Female Stallion of Integrity, and served as Student Body President during her senior year of high school.  As the team captain of the Black History Quiz Bowl Team, Shekinah helped lead the team to their first regional championship victory in school history.

Shekinah is now attending one of the nation’s top undergraduate liberal arts universities, Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina.  As a first year student, she has become involved in several student leadership organizations.  She was accepted as a New Fellow in the Shucker Leadership Institute and is a member of the FU L.E.A.D. program.  In addition, Shekinah is also a member of the NAACP.  She has continued her academic success at Furman and is adjusting well to college life.