News Editor

Area seniors are getting ready to take a big step toward their future as graduation day gets closer.

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee wants to make that step an easier one by awarding scholarships to outstanding students who qualify. To recognize outstanding students the Chamber will hold its annual PRAISE Banquet at 7 p.m. April 17 at Troy Elementary School.

The student with the highest ACT score in the county will be awarded the $1,000 PRAISE Scholarship. Principals and counselors from local schools choose nominees for the PRAISE Scholarship. Each nominee must be a resident of Pike County; each nominee must be a senior attending high school on a full-time basis or dual enrolled in college; each nominee must have obtained a minimum composite score of 24 from a single ACT.

Nominees for the 2001 PRAISE Scholarship are:

· Ashley Maulden, daughter of Sam and Ann Maulden. She attends Pike County High School and her favorite teacher is Louis A. Robinson.

· Will Williams, son of Frank and Rita Williams. He attends Pike Liberal Arts School and his favorite teachers is Delaney Kervin.

· Virginia Poole Dyson, daughter of Thack and Rebecca Dyson. She attends Charles Henderson High School and her favorite teacher is Pam Merkel.

The PRAISE Scholarship nominees are recognized each year at the Pike County Chamber of Commerce PRAISE Banquet. Students recognized by individual schools are required to make a verbal presentation during the banquet that introduces his or her favorite teachers to the audience and details the impact the teacher had on the student’s individual education experience.

Col. John Schmidt, vice president of student affairs at Troy State University, will be the featured speaker at the banquet. He will deliver a motivational address to the students as they prepare to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

Juniors from local schools assist with the PRAISE Banquet as Junior Hosts. The two junior from each school with the highest ACT score are selected as hosts.

Junior Hosts from Pike County High School are: Meredith Griffin and Joseph Wayne Rusie; from Pike Liberal Arts are Marie Thompson and Robbie Davis; from Charles Henderson High School are Rachel Jennings and Lydia Ruth Yancey; and from Goshen High School, Stephanie Jordan and Toni Deveridge.

Tickets for the PRAISE Scholarship are available at the Pike County Chamber of Commerce for $10.

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce is able to offer the PRAISE Scholarship each year, thanks to donations by area businesses and individuals. If you are unable to attend the banquet and just wish to make a donation help fund the PRAISE Scholarship or for ticket information contact the Pike County Chamber of Commerce at 566-2294.