South Carolina State University's Foundation Scholarship Gala and Tribute will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, in the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center on the campus of S.C. State.

The Scholarship Gala and Tribute honors students who have distinguished themselves by demonstrating a commitment to service, integrity and excellence. As the foundation's major fund-raising event of the year, gala proceeds are donated to the university to provide scholarship assistance to deserving students.

During this year's gala, S.C. State will celebrate the academic achievements of the following eight students:

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Anthony Beckett, freshman, English education major

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Jaime D. Dicks, junior, physical education and sports management major

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Brittany R. Green, freshman, management major

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Henry R. Guion, freshman, professional English major

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Ashley C. Hughes, senior, professional English major

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Dashan J. Axson-Lawrence, sophomore, English education major

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Sharonda Littlejohn, senior, biology major

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Abdalla K. Straker, senior, business economics major

Headlining this year's Scholarship Gala and Tribute will be Ann Nesby, R&B, gospel and dance music singer. Nesby is the former lead singer of Sounds of Blackness, a Grammy Award-winning vocal and instrumental ensemble from Minneapolis, Minn. Her song-writer credits including Patti Labelle and Gladys Knight, and she co-starred in the 2003 musical comedy drama "The Fighting Temptations" with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyonce Knowles. She has made several appearances on the hit television series "American Idol."

In March 2009, Nesby will release an R&B-inspired gospel album titled "The Lula Lee."

For more information on the 2009 S.C. State Foundation Scholarship Gala and Tribute, contact Erica Prioleau at 803-378-1407 or esprioleau@scsu.edu.

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