by Fred Hilsenrath
Once again it was our time to interview graduating high school students for scholarships. We interviewed 80 students from several local schools: Shirley, Westside, Southside, Mountain View, Fox, Timbo, Clinton and Quitman. Only 24 students won the scholarship of $1,000 or $500 (depending whether it is for a 4 year college or a 2 year community college) for the first year of their studies.
We changed our scholarship support from a 4 year support to the first year only. Our former Fairfield Bay Mayor, Tom Shueren, took the lead in this scholarship effort.
Here are the recipients:
Shirley: Matthew Beumel-ASU /Searcy Diesel Mech, Austin Smith -ASU/ Beebe PT assistant, Steve Shull- ASU / Beebe PE, Sierra Daniel Huie -North Arkansas College Med Lab Tech
Clinton: Ashley Gallaher -AR Tech
DC or MD, Fielder Dufrene -University of Ozarks Ed or sprts trning, Hunter Blanton -UA Fayetteville Chem. Engineer, Lyndon Duncan -UCA Psychology
Timbo: Mathew Stevens-AR Tech Business & Engineering, Maggie Lynn Terry -Ozarka
Forensic Science
Fox: David Branscum -AR Tech Forestry / Wildlife, Sydney Trammell – AR Tech Pre-med/Biology, Shelby Turner -Ozarka Nursing
Mountain View: John Hintson -AR Tech $1,000, Auston Salazar -ASU / Jonesboro $1,000, Taylor McClanahan -Ozarka $500
West Side: Melissa Hendrickson -UACCM Biology, Jacob Nicholson -UA / Fayetteville Biochemistry, Trey Treadway -UCA No Major, Wyatt Fenner -ASU / Heber
Computer Science
Quitman: Ashelyn Atwood -AR Tech
Nursing, Whitney Page -SAV Magnolia Bio Pre Vet, Brittney Parker -ASU / Beebe Vet Tech
Southside: Megan Griffith -AR Tech
English/ Creative Writing, Austin Payne -ASU / Heber
Business, Sydney Bernhardt -UACCM Gen Ed
In previous years, I was usually disappointed with our students. Their knowledge appeared shallow, learning curiosity low and indifferent toward life goals.
This time, we found a refreshing change. The students were lively, clear spoken and goal oriented. It must be our Arkansas air.
We do enjoy our Rotary activities. I do, for at least two reasons: All our money goes toward the purpose of helping students, not to administrative costs and second the future of our country needs an educated next generation to avoid becoming a third world nation ourselves.