Jim Fair
Eastside High School graduate Isaac Rodgers is awarded a Mitsubishi Polyester Film $1,500 scholarship at the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce. Rose Marchek and Phil Ellenburg of Mitsubishi Polyester Film, left, and Allen Smith and Brent Garrett, far right, made the presentation.
Eastside High School precedes Rodgers’ name for Student Body President, Hall of Fame, Principal’s Leadership Award and is sprinkled with golden nuggets of character qualities that make him a prize for colleges.
Rodgers was awarded the Mitsubishi Polyester Film Junior Leadership Greer $1,500 scholarship today at the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce. He will invest that money in his studies to pursue a degree in Exercise Science at The Citadel. “I feel like there are a lot of opportunities in that field,” Rodgers said.
“I want go to The Citadel for the focus and discipline it will give me,” Rodgers said. “I didn’t want to go somewhere else and be distracted.”
Brent Garrett, Chairman of the Leadership Development Council, was surprised to learn of Rodgers’ reasoning for attending The Citadel. “You would think he already has that focus. He’s a very bright person.
“His extracurricular accomplishments has helped put him over the top,” Garrett said. “We had a very tough decision to make because everyone in the group (applying for the grant) was great.”
Rodgers said he is keeping his options open to join the military after graduation to aid in his funding his studies. “I don’t have a problem making the commitment after college.
“I always like to keep myself busy and active,” Rodgers said. He’s doing that this summer by working two jobs – TCBY and lifeguard at the Eastside YMCA. He works out daily.
Rose Marchek, of Mitsubishi Polyester Film, just shook her head when Allen Smith, Chamber CEO/President, read Rodgers’ honors and leadership awards. “I am always impressed with the candidates. We hope they go to college, return here and begin a successful business.”
Rodgers, a native of Greer, is the son of Jeannine and Allen Rodgers. He has two brothers, Ian, a freshman at Eastside High School, and Jacob, a 6th grader.
Some of Rodgers’ accomplishments include:
• Eastside High School Student Body President.
• Helped school to raise $150,000 for charity
• Eastside High School Hall of Fame. 1 of 10 seniors selected by faculty for academic achievement, athletic excellence and school leadership
• Eastside High School Principal’s Leadership Award for 2012-2013
• ?2012 Delegate to Palmetto Boys State and elected as a “County Councilman”
• Martin Luther King Award for Leadership by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
• 3-sport letterman in swimming, wrestling and lacrosse
• Eagle Scout with Troop 266