Scholarships Award Excellence In Academics and Conduct

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."~ Nelson Mandela

Championing education at the grade school level increases the chance that the youth will further their education. Education, as a key to securing gainful employment, equips the youth to become productive members of society.

The Lady Madison Scholastic Achievement Award Program has reached thousands. This Program recognizes children over the course of a 12-week period with a group picture taken with Lady Madison as she arrives in their state or district. Children are pursuing college degrees at record numbers. Many are able to secure fully funded academic, athletic, and music scholarships from some of the most prestigious schools in the nation as a result of their diligence in elementary, junior and then high schools. It doesn’t stop with the school-aged students. Adults are also pursuing continuous education in greater numbers. The United House of Prayer is a front runner in encouraging academic excellence for all.

"Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it."

~ Marian Wright Edelman

The Lady Madison Scholastic Achievement Award Program is a complement to the McCollough Scholarship Fund, which supports the educational pursuits of those young adults pursuing higher education.

The Lady Madison Scholastic Achievement Award Program was created by the former First Lady of the United House of Prayer, Lady Elizabeth D. Madison. Lady Madison served as the General Secretary and Executive Assistant of the deceased Bishops C.M. Grace and W. McCollough for over forty years. She retired from her position due to her husband, the late Bishop S.C. Madison, becoming the successor to Bishop McCollough. As a supporter and officer of the McCollough Scholarship College Fund, she was vividly aware that more motivation was required to inspire and encourage the youth to fully engage at an earlier age in order to successfully seek higher education and professional degrees. Lady Madison recognized that immediate rewards for achieving short-term educational goals create a long-term commitment to academic success.

In 1995 with her own personal funds and some financial support from her husband, Lady Madison established the Program. The Program provides books, educational tools, and monetary funds to grades 1 through 12 students who maintain honor roll grades and excellent conduct. The award is presented personally by Lady Madison with an appeal to the youth to pursue higher education and maintain good conduct. As well, she encourages those children who fall short of the B average criterion. From its inception in 1995 through 2011, the number of annual award recipients has grown from 341 to over one thousand. Through 2007 the program was supported solely by the personal funds of Lady Madison and the late Bishop S.C. Madison. Lady Madison continues to financially support the Program with assistance from the current Leader, Bishop A. D. Cunningham, and the support of past recipients, their parents, members and other contributors.

The United House of Prayer members, its communities, and school districts are especially thankful for this revelation and which Daddy Cunningham has committed his support to encourage the youth to achieve excellence in academics and moral living. Therefore, young people like you only have a few weeks to bring your grade.