Down South Riders Motorcycle Club of Jeanerette was founded in 2007 by Lionel “Kayou” White with a mission to do something they all love, “To Ride,” but through growth and interaction with clubs throughout Louisiana and the South Central area, the club developed a new focus — “Gain the support of our community, respect of fellow bikers, and give back to our community by supporting its most precious asset, the youth,” said Dawayne Brown, club president. In support of this effort, the club developed a scholarship for deserving high school seniors from three high schools within the club’s service area — Jeanerette Senior High, West St. Mary High and Franklin Senior High. This will ensure the club is making an investment in youth. Their goal is for these young people to succeed while pursuing higher education. The scholarship is awarded through an application process. Each senior selected will receive an educational scholarship that will be presented upon their enrollment into the college of their choice. With the economic challenges facing families in St. Mary and Iberia parishes, Down South Riders Motorcycle Club has made a commitment to continue to support the efforts of youth to educate and accelerate themselves. The 2012 recipients of the Down South Riders Motorcycle Club Scholarship are La’Teyana McDaniel from FSHS, Jerald Hawkins from WSM and Peggy Thomas from JSHS.