About six years ago, the Lois M. Chapple Scholarship was established to raise educational scholarships for youth. Our mission is to aid in their development by assisting them with completing their education, which will empower them to achieve economic self-sufficiency. “We recognize that one positive relationship can change the course of a young person’s life. Therefore, our scholarship program’s objective is to enhance the spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical self, of the young people that receive it,” said Scholarship Coordinator Hazel Miller.
Named after its founder, the scholarship was launched when Mrs. Chapple recognized a need to “acknowledge the educational accomplishments of the high school graduates within our congregation at Brentwood Church of Christ, 6425 North 60th St. Hazel stated that, “as she worked with Sister Chapple to raise small financial “love offerings” for high school graduates,” she developed a deep appreciation for her compassion and determination for the future of our young people.
While Mrs. Chapple wanted to remain active in the program she had founded, she realized that it would take more than just her efforts to build this fund. She and other supporters also hoped to increase the program in order to increase support to its recipients. Mrs. Miller, a native of Racine who has spent most of her life in Milwaukee, stepped forward. After meeting, Mrs. Chapple felt that Hazel was the ideal person to take the program to the next level, including a comedy show that the entire family can attend. Hazel plans to work more diligently within the Milwaukee communities to bring more positive energy and focus to the successful accomplishments of our young adults. She believes that the future of our youth begins with the opportunities we provide them today. To that end, the scholarship organization attempts to distinguish itself by caring for the success of the students. In addition, to being awarded a financial scholarship, the recipients receive care packages three times a year and bi-weekly text messages of encouragement. Recipients can also reapply for the scholarship for four years. Since its inception, more than $15,000 has been donated.
In 2010, Hazel took the Lois M. Chapple Scholarship to the community by introducing comedy shows as her primary avenue to raise money for college students. “We realized that our program was not just a vision, but a ministry to enhance the support of our community as we work to make a positive difference in the lives of our youth.”
When asked why comedy shows, Hazel stated, “Growing up I was a very serious young lady and did not always ‘get the joke.’ After assuming primary responsibility for the Lois M. Chapple Scholarship Fund, she “came to realize that our community needs positive energy that is family oriented and does not break the bank.” After doing her first comedy show, she realized this was one of her gifts and now hosting her seventh show. Hazel, a project manager for a local insurance company, credits her organizational and effective communication skills as contributing factors, but acknowledges that the true success and power is from God.
Hazel stated that she is truly grateful for the assistance, her friend, fellow church member and Milwaukee comedian Marlin Hill. She stated, “Marlin has been instrumental by raising the energy of the audience with his great talents as the emcee of our shows. He has worked with me to introduce talented local comedians to our show, which has exposed them to additional opportunities. Every comedian that I have reached out to has found additional gigs as a result,” Hazel said. “They realize they can be funny without profanity. That opens more opportunities for them.”
The next bi-annual show, titled “Black Girls Laugh” A Comedy Show, starring Chastity Washington and Betty G. will take place at the LeRoy Durley Annex Building on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 7:00pm. The LeRoy Durley Annex Building is located at 6425 N 60th Street (next to Brentwood Church of Christ). Tickets are $12.00 in advance and at the door. Advanced tickets can be purchased by calling 414-353-6757.
Hazel stated, “If you’re looking for a good time and lots of laughs, this is a show you will not want to miss!”