The Jerry Oscar “Tip” Colley Award gives hundreds of dollars in scholarships every year and it will do so again this year, as they announce the winners for 2010 at their annual banquet.

The 19th Annual J.O. “Tip” Colley Awards Banquet will take place on May 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Troy Recreation Department.

The award is given to deserving graduating students attending high school in Pike County.

According to Jerry Miller, chairman of the J.O. “Tip” Colley Committee and manager for the Troy Bank & Trust, a $1,500 scholarship is given to one male student and one female student who exhibit well rounded excellence.

“It’s an award that recognizes the most well rounded achievements as a Christian student athlete,” Miller said.

The winners will also have their names added to a trophy, and the trophy will then go to the school that the student represents, where it will stay for the remainder of the year.

The award has a high criteria, calling for the person to be nominated by a professional staff member, two letters of recommendation and acceptable grades and ACT scores.

According to Miller, though there are only two winners of the award, there are also runner-ups.

A male and female runner-up are chosen, and they receive a $500 scholarship.

Those that don’t win a scholarship won’t leave empty handed since all the nominees receive a plaque.

“We feel that it is an honor just to be nominated,” Miller said.

The event is semi-formal and, along with the awards, include a buffet and guest speaker.

The speaker will be the award winning former head coach of Auburn University, Sonny Smith.

The event is open to the public and costs $15 at the door, but participants are asked to call in advance in order to get a head count for the event.

The banquet will also include a “where are they now” type segment highlighting award recipients from 1994.

Miller said the award has grown in the last few years.

This growth increased the amount given for the award and has has added the runner-up scholarship.

Miller contributed this to the various levels of contribution from different businesses within the county.