scholarships

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Pete Turnham

GED Scholarship Fund

ALAPCAE is a non-profit organization that actively encourages adult learners to obtain a high school equivalency (GED) and pursue postsecondary education.

Pete Benton Turnham (1920–2019) was a highly respected advocate for adult education in Alabama. He dedicated unwavering support for adult education programs and services as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives for 40 years.

To commemorate his commitment and service to adult education, ALAPCAE annually awards the Pete Turnham Scholarship to deserving students from each of the nine regions in Alabama.

Dr. Naomi Scales

HSDO Scholarship Fund

Dr. Naomi Scales is Alabama’s longest-term adult education employee (56 years). Currently serving as an Adult Education Administrator at the Alabama Community College System (ACCS), her dedication to student success is unquestioned. 

Dr. Scales serves ALAPCAE as the ACCS Representative. She earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.) from Alabama State University and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Administration and Higher Education from the University of Alabama.

Dr. Scales is the catalyst behind the success of many students and adult education programs statewide, thereby encouraging ALAPCAE to dedicate the High School Diploma Option (HSDO) Scholarship in her honor. Her legacy will continue in perpetuity through the funding of this honorary scholarship.

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how you can help

You can help support GED and HSDO graduates through a tax-deductible donation. Your donation will subsidise tuition, books, and supplies for GED and high school diploma graduates who aspire to undertake postsecondary education. 

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2021 Pete Turnham Scholarship Winners

COMBINED EXPERIENCE

Rita Rencher

District 8 Winner
Coastal Alabama Community College

Zewen Ma

District 4 Winner
Jefferson State Community College

Sevide Adingi

District 3 Winner
Shelton State Community College

Morgan Tasker

District 9 Winner
Wallace State Community College

Paula Harris

District 1 Winner
Calhoun Community College

Janeshia White

District 7 Winner
Trenholm State Community College

Larissa Benz

District 5 Representative
Ingram State Technical

Larissa Benz is ISTC Adult Education Coordinator for Southern Region. Prior to this position, she worked as an ESL instructor at Auburn University at Montgomery and an Adult Education Coordinator at Southern Union State Community College. There, Benz developed a Career Pathways certification course in Medical Terminology and a Career Pathway certification course for translators and interpreters to meet the needs of the community in medical and legal fields. 
 
Larissa grew up in Ukraine when it was still a part of the Soviet Union. That allowed her to live in different places and travel to countries across EuroAsian continent. Growing up, she was fascinated by various cultures and the diversity. Larissa possesses Master’s degree in Linguistics. The degree opened the doors for her to teach foreign languages and be an interpreter for the UN and European Council conferences, translator for government agencies, non-profit organizations and ministries. 
 
Larissa Benz served as a lecturing professor at Tavria University of Management and Commerce and got her Master’s in Business from there. She also taught at the Crimea University of Pedagogy and Engineering, got accepted to the PhD program and did the research for her thesis there.
 
Benz and her son came to the U.S. in 2001 and worked with several ministries which served children and their families from underserved areas. She created projects and programs for cultural exchange and educational purposes. 
 
She is certified by the British Council to teach Business English and to translate legal documents. In 2022, Ms. Benz earned a certificate in leadership from LEAD University. Languages, art and hiking are her hobbies. 
 
Alabama became Larissa’s promise land and she has embraced the southern culture as her own even though she is still learning its beautiful idiosyncrasies. 

Marsha LeMacks

District 7 Representative
Wallace Dothan

Marsha S. LeMacks is a professional educator with 20+ years of teaching experience.  She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Southern Wesleyan University in South Carolina.  She is also a 2025 graduate of the ACCS Instructional Leadership Academy.  Marsha is currently a full-time adult education instructor at Wallace Community College in Dothan, Alabama, and she previously served as the  2024-2025 ALAPCAE  District 7 Representative.