Eighth-graders at Mt. Vernon Middle School were recently named to honor lists, based on grades from the third quarter of this school year.

After interviews and evaluations, the foundation’s Board of Directors approved 124 new scholarships totaling $284,825 to 119 local students and renewed 163 scholarships worth a total of $456,650.

But in real life, it was their own mother, Dr. Vivian Ayers, who has been a major support to them, often photographed with the ladies at awards shows and premieres. She also taught them, among many ...