Area students awarded Athens Kiwanis-TVCC scholarships

By Lauren Ricks

May 21, 2008 09:43 am

— The results of a search for the most dedicated high school seniors in Henderson County were announced at a luncheon on Tuesday.
The Athens Noon Kiwanis Club and Trinity Valley Community College announced eight students who were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship to TVCC — an amount split equally by the two organizations.
The committee that chose the winners consisted of Danny Sprouse, Gene Gresham and Jo Gresham.
Those awarded scholarships were: Lacy Bo Miller and Lauren Brook Miller, from Cross Roads High School; Carlos Tovias and Lindsey Sanders from Athens High School; and Caitlin DiBari, Laura DiBari, Heather Bailey and Samantha Slay, Eustace High School.
“This might be the first year we have had two sets of twins that won the scholarship,” Sprouse said.
The Kiwanis scholarship committee received 18 applications from students from nearly every school in the county.
“We chose students who would continue their education and finish,” Sprouse said. “We wanted to give the scholarships to finishers.”
He said the committee chose the eight students based mainly on their grades. Those chosen had among the best grade point averages at their respective schools, Sprouse said.
To submit an application, students provided their transcripts, wrote a 200-word essay on a person who is a major influence on them and a character reference.
Sprouse said parents were the most common essay topic.
“Some of them wrote about teachers, coaches and one wrote about her sister,” he said.
Sprouse said the committee sent applications to surrounding schools and advertised in March. The students had to return the applications by April 15. Sprouse said the committee worked on choosing the scholarship recipients for a couple weeks. The decision on the winners was made May 1.
“I’m very thankful for it. It seems like a great club that does a lot of good for people,” Caitlin DiBari said afterward.

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