David Dolge, chairman of the foundation's grant and scholarship committee, presented the scholarships. Margaret Burch is chairman of the Greater Greer Education Foundation.
The Greater Greer Education Foundation awarded $13,100 in scholarships to 16 students from six high schools in the Greater Greer area Thursday afternoon at Greer City Hall.
Students were selected by the guidance department of each school and submitted to the Foundation. The Foundation in turn presented scholarship funds to the technical school or college on behalf of the student. The scholarships fall into three categories: undesignated scholarships given by donors to the Foundation for study in particular fields, scholarships given by Gala Sponsors in the Underwriter category, and scholarships made possible by the contributions to the scholarship fund at the annual Education Gala.
“This year’s 16 scholarship awards total $13,100," Margaret Burch, chairman of the foundation, said. "These, along with the $18,050 in grants awarded to schools earlier this year, total $31,150 that we are giving back to the community this year — all for educational opportunities for our citizens.
"The Greater Greer Education Foundation would like to thank the people and businesses who have supported our efforts, and we proudly announce that the total amount of the Foundation’s gifts back to the community for education 2011-2014 totals $87,294.”
Les Gardner, Director of Development, Greenville Tech Foundation, spoke to the students, telling them that “a new part of your life’s journey has begun, and these scholarships will help you get there.” Gardner noted that $800 is nearly enough to pay for a full semester at Greenville Tech if the student receives lottery tuition assistance and that is why the foundation chose that amount for its scholarships.
“It is a huge sum of money if you’re starting college,” he said, “and it buys you a ticket to Tech. If you work at it, you will become a successful member of this community.”
Michael Kennedy, assistant vice president for philanthropy at Converse College, personally thanked the foundation and congratulated the students. “It’s a great day to see all these young people receiving scholarships,” he said. “The foundation is really changing their lives.”
Chris Robertson, financial aid counselor at Spartanburg Methodist College, said it was “an honor to be here today with these amazing students. And on behalf of SMC, we can’t thank the foundation enough.”
Thursday’s scholarship recipients:
• The $1,000 Marlea Rhem Music Scholarship, in memory of Marlea Rhem, was awarded to Brianna Taylor of Lyman. The Byrnes High School graduate is majoring in Music Education with an Arts Minor at Converse College.
• A $1,000 scholarship donation was given to the foundation by Margaret Burch for a non-specified deserving student. The Scholarship was awarded to Abby Roth from Travelers Rest and Blue Ridge High School. She is interested in a double major in Nursing/Biology and Spanish. She also will play on the college’s tennis team.
• The $1,000 Town of Lyman Scholarship was given to Jesse Tyler Davis of Startex. Jesse is a graduate of Byrnes High School and will be a sophomore at Spartanburg Methodist College, studying Fine Arts.
• The $800 Suzanne Greene Art Scholarship was presented to Maurice Bobo from Byrnes High School. He will study Digital Design at Spartanburg Community College.
• The $800 Hanson Aggregates Scholarship was presented to James Brown from the Bonds Career Center. He will study Machine Tool at Midlands Technical College.
• The $800 Pelham Medical Center Scholarship was presented to Rachel Panagakos, a student at Greer Middle College Charter High School. She will enter the PTA Certificate/Degree Program at Greenville Technical College.
• The $800 BMW Scholarship was presented to William Howell of Greer High School. He will study Welding at Greenville Tech.
• The $800 Greer Memorial Hospital Scholarship was presented to Kelsey Moser of Blue Ridge High School. She will study Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Health Science at Greenville Tech.
• The $800 Travis Olmert Scholarship was awarded to Zach Walkden of Greer Middle College Charter High School who will study Engineering Technology at Greenville Tech.
• The $800 Community Foundation Scholarship was awarded to Brianna Childress of Byrnes High School, who will study Nursing and Pharmacy Tech at Spartanburg Community College.
• The $500 Ashmore Bros. Scholarship was awarded to KeiAndris Celeste Black, a graduate of Riverside High School. She will be a sophomore at Spartanburg Methodist College this year, working toward an Associate Degree in Fine Arts.
• An $800 scholarship was awarded to Christopher Lancaster of Blue Ridge High School, will study Welding at Greenville Tech.
• An $800 scholarship was awarded to Darian Gladney of Riverside High School, who will study Welding at Greenville Tech.
• An $800 scholarship was awarded to Kayla Waldner from Greer High School, who will study Cosmetology at Greenville Tech.
• An $800 scholarship was awarded to Megan Adrianna Watts of Riverside High School, who will study Computer Programming at Greenville Tech. •
An $800 scholarship was awarded to Megan Nestor from Bonds Career Center, who will study Animal Science at Greenville Tech.