Mobile woman creates scholarship to honor Dadeville cousin killed in mass shooting
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Amy Jackson is a Dadeville native, but she lives in Mobile. She lost her cousin Shaunkivia “Keke” Smith during a mass shooting at a sweet 16 birthday party in Dadeville last year.
To honor and continue her cousin’s dream alive, she started a committee that aids scholarships to those pursuing nursing degrees.
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Nearly a year after her cousin’s untimely death, Amy Jackson knew she wanted to do something to turn a nation’s tragedy into a triumph.
“I pondered on it for a couple of months, and just one morning I got up and I was like, OK, I’m going to do it,” Jackson said.
Shaunkivia’s dreams were cut short on Apr. 15, 2023, after she and four others lost their lives at a sweet-16 birthday party in Dadeville. She wanted to be a nurse and attend the University of Alabama to one day help others.
Since that opportunity was tragically taken from her, Jackson started the Shaunkivia Smith Scholarship Committee.
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“I called her mom first,” Jackson shared. “And she was you know, she was very excited about it, that we were trying to do something that would, you know, would be a legacy for her daughter. And her name—every year, you know, it’ll be talked about. She won’t be forgotten.”
The committee is comprised of seven people, and they put together scholarships for nursing students.
Jackson said the committee is still working out the scholarship amount.
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“We’re not sure yet on it. That will be decided this weekend when the committee meets,” she explained. “And we get all the ins and outs taken care of, but it’ll be for the whole year; it’ll be per semester.”
Even though this is the Dadeville native’s first year putting the committee together, she’s excited about the future scholarships that will be given away.
“I know she’s smiling down right now,” she said. “She’s sometimes when I don’t know which way to go. I think it’s her telling me, directing me in the right path.”
Amy said the committee is still accepting donations towards the scholarship. People who would like to donate can mail checks to P.O. Box 382, Dadeville, Alabama 36853.
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The winners of the scholarship will be announced during their committee’s First Memorial Scholarship Gala at Central Alabama Community College at the Betty Carol Graham Center on 1675 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, Alabama.
The event begins at 5 p.m., and ticket prices start at $50.
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