Eleven seniors from four high schools are candidates for Brundidge Rotary Club scholarships that will be awarded in May.

The candidates, representing Pike County High School, Pike Liberal Arts School, Ariton High School and Zion Chapel High School, were guests of the Brundidge Rotarians at the club’s Wednesday meeting at Collier’s on Main.

Ben Busbee, scholarship committee chair, said three nominations are accepted each year from the four schools and six $1,000 scholarships are awarded based on academics, leadership, extra curricular activities, community service and needs going forward.

“We would like to like to be able to award scholarships to all nominees because they are all deserving, but, being a small club, we are only able to award six,” Busbee said.

Each scholarship candidate was introduced and had an opportunity to share his or her plans after graduation and answer an impromptu question.

Representing Pike Liberal Arts School were Carter Senn and Elaina Strother.

Carter plans to attend Auburn University and pursue a career in chemical engineering.

“I became interested in engineering through robotics,” she said.

When asked about her most exciting time as a senior, Carter cited her reign at Miss Brundidge 2015.

“I learned to meet and talk with people and how to speak in front of groups,” she said. “Having those opportunity was exciting for me.”

Elaina also plans to attend Auburn University. She loves sports and enjoys writing so she is considering sports journalism as a career.

For Elaina, the opportunity to go on two mission trips to Costa Rico were specially meaningful.

“I went with First Baptist Church and we packed blessing bags for the children and had a party for them,” she said. “It was a chance to witness to people there. The mission trip was very special to me.”

Pike County High School nominees were Chelsey Holland, Davia Terry and Laken Maulden.

Chelsey plans to attend Auburn University and pursue a career in the medical field, perhaps, optometry.

Her dad, PCHS head football coach, Fred Holland is her biggest inspiration and greatest motivator.

“He gets up in the morning ready and excited to go to work,” Chelsey said. “He loves his job and I want to have a job that I love just that much. I will do my best to be like him.”

Davia plans to attend Troy University and study accounting.

“I am a member of the Business and Finance Academy at PCHS,” she said. “It is a great program and, I’ll graduate high school with an associate’s degree in accounting from Enterprise State Community College.”

Springhill College in Mobile is the college of choice for Laken Maulden. She plans a teaching career in elementary education.

“Volunteering with the summer reading program at the public library in Brundidge has given me valuable experience working with young children,” Laken said.

Artiton High Schools’ three candidates for the Rotary Scholarship are Tim Cooper, Mikaela Sullivan and Nicole Nguyen.

Tim’s career plan is to attend UAB and pursue a career in the medical field.

“Being in the medical field is an opportunity to make a positive impact in the world,” he said. “You can have a person’s life in your hands. That’s how important the medical field is.”

Mikaela plans to attend Troy University and earn a degree in business.

She said her greatest experience as a student has been “making memoirs.”

“Now that we are you adults, we can begin to impact lives,” she said.

Nicole’s future plans include attending UAB and pursuing a degree in biology or business. She is considering dentistry.

“I want to have a career that I am passionate about,” she said. “I plan to work hard and accomplish my goals.”

Cade Mobley, Morgan Carter and Courtney Napper were the Zion Chapel nominees for the Rotary Scholarships.

Cade plans to attend Wallace College on his way to a career in engineering.

He said he appreciates the help and guidance he has received at Zion Chapel.

“I have been pointed in the direction I need to go to achieve my goals,” he said.

Morgan’s career path will take her to Wallace State Community College –Hanceville.

She will pursue a career as an occupational therapist.

“I work at the Wagon Wheel and I’ve gotten to know and appreciate a lot of elderly people,” she said.

“I want to work at a nursing home. That’s what I believe I’ve been called to do.”

Courtney’s future plans include attending Jacksonville State College where she will pursue a career in criminal justice.

“I had the opportunity to go to Australia as a People to People ambassador and that was a wonderful educational experience and a great learning experience,” she said.

 

 

 

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