05/02/2026
What a beautiful night! ✨
Tonight, we celebrated the 3rd Annual Marquise “Doda” Poole Foundation Scholarship Gala, and our hearts are truly full.
We are so proud to honor this year’s scholarship recipients and celebrate their hard work, dedication, and bright futures ahead. Each of them represents the purpose of this foundation — to continue Marquise’s legacy by investing in students, families, and our community.
We also want to take a special moment to honor our honorary members who are deceased, Malik Milsap and Keegan Robinson. Their memory, their lives, and the love connected to them remain a meaningful part of this foundation and this community.
We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our special guest speakers, Sergeant Jameka Moore and Miss Hospitality Mary Lee, for sharing such encouraging and inspiring words with our guests.
A special thank you to The Grill Man for generously donating all of the food for tonight’s event. Your kindness and support helped make this evening possible.
Thank you to Keoko Twine for making sure all of the food was prepared and ready, and thank you to Vernita Wash and her committee for serving the food with such care and excellence.
A sweet thank you to Aaliyah Lashay, owner of Love at First Bite, for providing desserts for the event. Your contribution added such a special touch to the evening.
We also want to thank Toby for DJing and helping create such a beautiful atmosphere for the evening.
Thank you to Justice Gamage with J’Neal Photography for capturing these special moments and helping us preserve the memories from tonight.
We would also like to thank all of the Newton County faculty who helped with the planning of the gala. Your support, time, and dedication played a meaningful role in helping bring this event together.
A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Niceta Hester, owner of Evolution Of Elegance, for her work with the event decorating and planning for the gala. Your creativity, attention to detail, and dedication helped make the evening beautiful.
A very special congratulations to Niceta Hester, who was also recognized as our Board Member of the Year. Your commitment, service, and dedication to this foundation do not go unnoticed, and we are so grateful for all that you do.
To everyone who attended, sponsored, donated, volunteered, purchased tickets, shared posts, and supported in any way — thank you. Your love and support helped make this night possible.
The Marquise “Doda” Poole Foundation will continue to serve, uplift, and pour back into our community — one scholarship, one student, and one act of love at a time.
With love and gratitude,
The Marquise “Doda” Poole Foundation 🖤💛💜