Civitan Club of Salisbury
Scholarships totaling $12,000 were awarded March 3 as the Salisbury Civitan Club observed its annual Scholarship Day during a luncheon meeting at the Country Club of Salisbury.
Eight local college and high school students were selected as recipients of the 2011 awards in the annual renewal of a scholarship program that the Civitan Club has been sponsoring for over 55 years. The awards this year included five $1,500 scholarships to students at Catawba College, Livingstone College and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Three high school awards of $1,500 each were also presented.
Coordinated by the Civitan Club’s Scholarship Committee and the Salisbury Civitan Club Charitable Foundation. The annual scholarships are funded through proceeds from club projects as well as income from the Charitable Foundation’s endowment.
The faculty and department members at the three institutions select the five college award winners. The three high school scholarships are awarded based on a competitive application process, including an essay and a demonstration of service to the community. The club scholarship committee selects winners with assistance from high school guidance departments.
“We feel this scholarship program is one of the best investments we can make as a service organization to our community,” said Civitan Club president Rodney Harrison. “It is important to recognize and encourage academic excellence and good citizenship in our young people.”
The 2011 scholarship awards presented March 3 include:
• The Dr. Walter Low Tatum Scholarships in Nursing, presented to two nursing students at RCCC. The winners are Ashly Wright Hinson of Salisbury, a second year LPN student in the practical nursing program, and Sharon Medlin of Mount Pleasant, who will graduate in 2012 from the associate degree nursing program at RCCC.
• The John Nelson Haden Scholarship in Music, presented annually to a music major at Catawba College. The 2011 winner is Kristopher Watson of Voorhees, N.J. He is a senior majoring in sacred music.
• The Dr. Jack Knox Scholarship in Education, presented to an education major at Livingstone College. The 2011 winner is junior Kevin A. Abrams of Lanham, Md. He is an elementary education (K-6) major.
• The Rev. Milton B. Faust Scholarship in Education, presented to a student in the teacher education program at Catawba College. Rachel Fries of Rockwell is the 2011 winner. She is a junior elementary education major.
• The Michael Yang Civitan Scholarship, presented annually to a senior at West Rowan High School. The 2011 winner is Amanda Marie Matlock, daughter of Jan and Jeffrey Dale Matlock of Woodleaf. She plans to attend Davidson or High Point University next year to pursue a degree in sociology.
• The Morton Lerner Memorial Civitan Scholarship, presented annually to a senior at Salisbury High School. The winner is Alexander B. Weant, son of Ted and Frances Weant of Salisbury. He plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill next year to study biology and chemistry.
• The Clifford Peeler Humanitarian Scholarship, presented annually to a senior at Salisbury, North Rowan, West Rowan high schools or North Hills Christian School. The 2011 winner is Mary Margaret Mills, a senior at Salisbury High School. The daughter of Chris and Beth Mills of Salisbury, she plans to major in education and public policy beginning next fall at either UNCC or N.C. State University.
The recipients, their family members and representatives of each school joined members of the Salisbury Civitan Club at the awards luncheon. Scholarship Committee Chairman Marny Hendrick presided over the presentations. As part of the program, Hendrick gave an update on the club’s endowed scholarship established in 1997 at Catawba College in honor of longtime Civitan leader M.M. “Chub” Richards. Designated for therapeutic recreation majors, the endowment now exceeds $36,000 and has already benefited nine students at Catawba.
For more information on the club scholarship program or to make a tax-deductible donation to the Salisbury Civitan Club Charitable Foundation, contact Salisbury Civitan Club, P.O. Box 171, Salisbury, NC 28145.