SALISBURY — For over 62 years, the Civitan Club of Salisbury has been awarding scholarships to enable local students achieve their academic goals. That long tradition continued on March 2 as the Civitan Club awarded scholarships totaling $13,500 during its annual Scholarship Day luncheon at the Country Club of Salisbury. Nine local college and high school students were selected as recipients of the 2017 scholarships.

The awards this year included five $1,500 college scholarships to students at Catawba College, Livingstone College and Rowan Cabarrus Community College. Four high school scholarship winners of $1,500 each were also recognized.

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 four 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.

“Our Scholarship program is one of the highlights of our Civitan year,” said club President Denise Daugherty, ”We feel this scholarship program is one of the best investments we can make as a service organization to our community. It is important to recognize and encourage academic excellence and good citizenship in our young people.”

The nine 2017 scholarship awards presented March 2 include:

The Dr. Walter Low Tatum Scholarships in nursing, presented to two nursing students at RCCC.

The winners are Kaylon Ann Morgan of Salisbury, a second year student in the Practical Nursing program; and Chelsea Heusinger of Kannapolis, who will graduate in 2018 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 2017 winner is Olivia (Joan) Hedrick of Elon. She is a senior majoring in music education and performance.

The Dr. Jack Knox Scholarship in education, presented to an education major at Livingstone College. The 2017 winner is senior Hannah Walser of Kannapolis, an elementary education major.

The Rev. Milton B. Faust Scholarship in Education, presented to a student in the teacher education program at Catawba College. Megan C. Hampton, a senior from Hamptonville is the 2017 winner. She is an elementary education major with a minor in psychology.

The Michael Yang Civitan Scholarship, presented annually to a senior at West Rowan High School. The 2017 winner is Bailey Herndon, daughter of Mike and Carol Herndon of Salisbury. She will study marketing next year at UNC-Chapel Hill.

The Morton Lerner Memorial Civitan Scholarship, presented annually to a senior at Salisbury High School. The 2017 winner is Sharmi Amin, daughter of Chet Amin and Hetal Amin Patel of Salisbury. She plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill to biological and medical anthropology and global health next fall.

The Rev. William K. Adams Memorial Scholarship presented annually to a North Hills Christian School senior went to Avery McGrail, son of John and Constance McGrail of Salisbury. He plans to study psychology next fall at either Wheaton College or UNCC.

The Clifford Peeler Humanitarian Scholarship, presented annually to a senior at Salisbury, North Rowan, West Rowan High Schools or North Hills Christian School. The 2017 winner is Corbin S. Smith a senior at North Rowan High School. The son of Terry and Amy Smith of Salisbury, he plans to major in criminal justice next fall at Appalachian State University.

The recipients, their family members and representatives of each school, joined members of the Civitan Club at the awards luncheon.

Scholarship Committee Chairman Marny Hendrick presided over the presentations.

For more information on the Club Scholarship program or to make a tax-deductible donation to the Club’s Charitable Foundation, contact the Civitan Club of Salisbury at P.O. Box 171, Salisbury, N.C. 28145.