GENTRY -- On Monday, May 2, Gentry High School seniors were awarded scholarships and other awards at the high school's annual scholarship night. The ceremony took place at 6:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. A reception also took place after the awards were presented.
Many different local scholarships were awarded. A number of families and businesses around the community gave scholarships to specific students. The seniors awarded these were: Brittney Atwood, Haley Borgeteien-James, Lexie Clark, Hannah Cypert, Walter Dane, Billy Evans, Jacob Faulkenberry, Kaven Flesner, Kruz Flesner, Bryan Harris, Sydney Hodges, Halee Jackson, Matthew Juillerat, Lauren Little, Justine Long, Tylor Lor, Erika Magana, Spencer McCollum, Mallory Morris, Semantha Neal, Mirna Ruzek, Tori Vetor, Brieann Ward, Olivia Weathers, Alexis West, Mark White, Carol Williams, Abigail Wilmoth, David Yang and Ny-Kong Yang. The total amount of local scholarships added up to $16,600.
"It felt very nice to be supported by my community," said Spencer McCollum, Gentry senior. McCollum was awarded a scholarship by Carroll Electric.
A handful of colleges awarded Gentry seniors with scholarships at the ceremonies as well. Arkansas Tech University awarded Mallory Morris, who signed to run cross country there. Lauren Little received a scholarship to attend the University of Central Arkansas. Bethaven University awarded a scholarship to Wally Dane. Ana Linch got a scholarship from Evangel University and signed to play soccer there. Hendrix College gave a scholarship to Kaven Flesner. John Brown University presented a scholarship to Mirna Ruzek.
"I feel really blessed, and it made all of the work in school I did worth it," Ruzek said.
Zach Adkins, who signed to play baseball at Lyon College, was awarded a scholarship from the college. Missouri Southern University awarded scholarships to Mallory Morris and Tori Vetor. Semantha Neal and Lauren Little received scholarships from Pittsburg State University. The University of Arkansas in Fort Smith gave a scholarship to Olivia Weathers. And, the University of the Ozarks awarded Mallory Morris a scholarship.
"It's an honor and a great relief to have received a scholarship from UAFS," Weathers said. "I am very happy that my hard work paid off in such a fulfilling way."
The American Legion handed out two Americanism awards. These included certificates and a medal. Hannah Cypert and Kruz Flesner were the two seniors to receive the awards.
The cosmetology school in Siloam Springs gave out honors awards and certificates. Mariannah Bartlett, Heavyn Poole and Chelsea Taylor were the recipients.
Wyatt Clark, Kaci Starkey, Olivia Weathers, Alexis West and Mark White were recognized as Honor Rising Scholars.
Lonnie Moll presented the CNA students with their certified nursing assistant course certificates. The CNA students included: Haley Borgeteien-James, James Fell, Bryan Harris, Halee Jackson, Erika Magana, Mirna Ruzek, Kaci Starkey, Destiny Swatsenberg and Alexis West.
Honor cords and certificates were awarded to 10 students who completed three credits in the Career and Technical Student Organization, had a minimum GPA of 3.0, and completed work in the Career and Technical Education program of study. These students each had to complete 100 hours of community service or have been an officer of a school, state or national CTE student organization.
In the end, more than $700,000 was handed out to the seniors.
Community on 05/18/2016