TIP COLLEY NOMINEES: Scholarship award recognizes Christian student athletes
Published 3:00 am Saturday, May 13, 2017
Thirteen seniors will be recognized Monday during the annual Tip Colley awards banquet, sponsored by the Troy Exchange Club.
The banquet honors senior Christian scholar athletes from all Pike County high schools who have excelled in their walk of faith, academics, athletics and community service.
“It is a tremendous honor to be nominated and all nominees are recognized at the banquet and awarded a certificate for their accomplishments,” said Jerry Miller, with the Exchange Club.
Male and female runners-up are each awarded a $500 cash scholarship while the male and female winners are each awarded a $1,500 cash scholarship. In addition, the winners are awarded a plaque and their names are added to trophies that reside each year at the winner’s high school.
The banquet also honors the late Dr. J.O. “Tip” Colley who embodied all the qualities celebrated by the award. “He was a beloved physician, successful businessman and civic leader in this community. He was also an outstanding student and athlete in his youth,” Miller said
Each banquet features a speaker who is affiliated with athletics and/or has an inspiring story to tell.
“This year, Chandra Rigby, Tory University’s women’s basketball coach, will be the speaker,” Miller said.
The banquet will take place at the Troy Recreation Center and tickets are $10 each. The public is invited.
Students nominated include:
Lindsey Fox is the daughter of Gary and Sheree Fox and is graduating from Charles Henderson High School, where she is salutatorian of her class. She is Honor Society vice president and has served as SGA class president. She is active in Mu Alpha Theta, the Key Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is a member of the volleyball, softball and archery teams. She is an active member of Southside Baptist Church, where she serves in the Adult Choir, Xtreme Youth Ministries, Merge, Bible School Leader, Children’s Church and Tea Tuesday Devotional. She volunteers at Troy Recreation Department and has volunteered at Troy Elementary School, both reading to students and demonstrating archery. She plans to attend Lurleen B. Wallace Community College.
Lauren Johnson is the daughter of Al and Jill Johnson. She is graduating from Pike Liberal Arts School, where she has been active on the volleyball, basketball and dance teams. She was named MVP of the AISA All Start Game West team in 2017 and named to the AISA basketball All-State second team in 2017. She was named an honorable mention for the Dothan Eagle Super 12 team and twice named third team for AISA basketball All-State team She is a member of the National Honor Society and has participated in the Calculus, Drama, and Spanish Clubs She is active in the Fellowship of Christian Students and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was nominated to represent PLAS in the DAR Good Citizenship Contest. She has received numerous academic awards and is ranked third in her graduating class. She is a member of Hephzibah Baptist Church, w here she volunteers with children’s church, the fall festival and the Vacation Bible School. She also volunteers with Sav-a-Life efforts and the YMCA youth basketball camp at Faulkner University. She plans to attend Huntingdon College.
Lexie Motes is the daughter of Scott and Carlee Motes. She is graduating from Pike Liberal Arts School where she served as senior class president. She is an A honor roll student, and received awards in Algebra II, Algebra I, Honors English, Honors Spanish I and Geometry. She is a member of the Spanish Club and scorekeeper for the scholar’s bowl. She is senior class president, was elected 2016 homecoming queen, and served four years on the homecoming court. She also received the Lauren Austin Award. She was captain of the PLAS cheerleader team and a member of the AISA State Championship teams in 205, 2016. She was named an AISA All-Star Cheerleader as well as a UCA All-American; was a member of the Alabama Dixie Belles World Series Runner-up softball team and served as a PLA Dugout Doll. She is active in the Excel Club; Twilighters Social Club, where she served as secretary; and the yearbook staff. Her volunteer activities include Operation Christmas Child, Special Olympics, Relay for Life, Out of Darkness Walk, Alzheimer’s Walk, Teddy Bears for Kids, Sav-a-Life and Salvation Army. She is a member of the Vine Church, where she volunteers with Bible School, the nursery and Turkeys From Heaven. She is also a member of the First Methodist Church Youth Group. She plans to attend Auburn University.
A’Kalysia Rodgers is the daughter of Romaris and Teloria Rodgers. She is graduating from Pike County High School, where she was a member of the basketball team. She is an honor roll student and is active in the Pride of Pike Marching Band, the Jazz Band and the Bulldog Leadership program. She is the JROTCH, the National Honor Society and the National High School Scholars. She volunteers with TRMC, TH&R, and CHCHC and is a member of the Upward Bound program. She is a member of Countyline Missionary Baptist Church where she is a leader in the Vacation Bible School, a member of the youth department, and leads mid-week Bible nurturing. She plans to attend Tuskegee University.
Bre’Jhada Smith is the daughter of Jamie and Sontessia Henderson. She is graduating from Charles Henderson High School, where she was active as a cheerleader for four years and in the National Honor Society. She worked as an office aide. She was listed on the A/B honor roll; received the CHHS varsity cheerleader award; received the Spanish Award for Highest Average; and was cheer captain. She served as a teen-to-teen speaker for the Southeast Alabama Christian Board of Education; secretary for Sunday School at New Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church; and volunteered with Trunk or Treat, Wiregrass Sickle Cell Walk, Troy University Homecoming Parade, Thanksgiving Baskets for the elderly, the Christmas Toy drive, Salvation Army Bell Ringing campaign and Flo’s Kitchen Entrepreneurship event. She attends New Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church where she is on the Christian Board of Education, an usher and secretary. She plans to attend Troy University.
Susie Stell is the daughter of Walter and Deborah Stell and is graduating from Pike Liberal Arts School. She has played golf and basketball for six years and received the AISA State Female Low Medalist Award in golf for four years. She also played volleyball her senior year and received the Patriot Awards, for motivating, encouraging and influencing others n that sport. She is an A honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society. She is active in the Excel Club, serving as treasurer; the Calculus Club, serving as treasurer; and the Twilighters. She also has served a student government representative and a member of the Spanish Club. She was a Junior Ambassador for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and a People to People Ambassador. She is a member of Park Memorial United Methodist Church, where she is actively involved, teaches kindergarten and first grade Sunday school, and volunteers with Vacation Bible School. She plans to attend Faulkner University.
Steven Cade Curtis is the son of Steven and Misty Curtis. He is graduating from Charles Henderson High School where he plays varsity football, earning the coaches’ award in 2016-2017. He is active in the National Honor Society and has been an A/B honor roll student for four years. He serves as president of the FBLA, having received the Business Achievement Award; Membership Mania Award; Outstanding Member of the Month; Outstanding Level State Blueprint for Success Chapter Award; Largest Chapter in District IV Award, and the FLBA District IV Who’s Who Award. He holds a Microsoft Office Specialist Certification and was selected as a Junior Ambassador for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. HE volunteers with AIM as a Mentoring Matters student mentor and is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Troy. He plans to attend Troy University.
Anthony Glover is the son of Anthony and Pamela Glover and is graduating from Pike County High School, where he is a member of the Academy of Business and Finance, through which we was dual-enrolled at Enterprise Community College. He is a four-year member of the football team and ran track for the Bulldogs. He is active in the National Honor Society, the FBLA and Upward Bound and was nominated for the DAR Scholarship. He is a member of New Faith Miracle Temple, where he serves as an usher and helps provide music for the services. He is also active in the youth program. He plans to attend Auburn University in Montgomery.
Patrick O’Brien is the son of Ray and Kristi O’Brien and is graduating from Pike Liberal Arts School. He played both varsity football and basketball, serving as team captain and invocation leader for the football team and senior captain for the basketball team. He twice competed in the 3A AISA football playoffs and the Elite 8 for baseball three times. EH is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a member of the Spanish Club, Calculus Club, National Honor Society and the BEST Robotics Competition Team. He is an honor roll student, served as team campaign of the scholar’s bowl team in both district and state competitions, received a Troy University Leadership Scholarship and was named “Most School Spirit.” He is a member of Park Memorial United Methodist Church, where he is a recreation leader with Vacation Bible School. He plans to attend Troy University.
Bradley Paramore, son of Marcus and Leigh Ann Paramore, will be graduating from Charles Henderson High School, where he is an honor roll student and has taken dual enrollment courses at Troy University. He is a member of the varsity baseball team and is active in the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and FBLA. He holds a Microsoft Office Proficiency Certification, as well. HE is a member of Park Memorial United Methodist Church and is actively involved in the youth ministry. He plans to attend Troy University.
Richard Price is the son of Tom and MaryAnn Price and is graduating from Goshen High School, where he was drum major of the band and a member of the cross-country and soccer teams. He was enrolled in the Pike County Agriscience and Technology Career Academy and was an SGA representative. He is an honor roll student and is active in the National Honor Society, NTHS, marching and concert bands, and FFA, where he served as reporter. He also served as a senior advisor for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of St. Martin Catholic Church, where he is active in the youth group and as an altar server, gift bearer and usher. He also plays on the church soccer team. He plans to attend Auburn University.
Brian K. Redmon is the son of Michael and Sandy Redmon. He is graduating from Goshen High School, where he has been a four-year letterman in both football and baseball. He participated in the Global Studies Academy and was a dual enrollment student at Troy University. He is a member of the national Honor Society and the A/B honor roll, and served as class ambassador. He received the 2016 Brian Stroud Memorial Award and was named to the 2015 Troy Messenger All County Baseball Team. He also was selected as a Junior Ambassador for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of Goshen Baptist Church, where he is active in the youth group, men’s ministry and in mission work. He volunteers with Operation Christmas Child, delivering meals to families in need during holidays, flood cleanup, Goshen Sports Boosters events and the Salvation Army Empty Bowls fundraiser. He plans to attend Troy University.
Evan Owen Rose is the son of Chris and Beth Rose and is graduating from Goshen High School. He was a four-year member of the varsity baseball team and played with the Wiregrass Cardinals. He served as class secretary/treasure and SGA treasurer, as well as treasurer for the FFA. He is active in the National Honor Society, the Agriscience Academy and as an office aide. He received the 2017 Hank Jones Civic Scholarship and the National Peanut Festival H.N. Lewis Scholarship. He was elected National Academy of Future Scientist delegate for Goshen High School and the Bryan Jordan Male Academic Athlete Candidate for GHS. He is active in the First Presbyterian Church of Opelika, where he is a member of the youth group, participates in mission team work and has participated in both the RYM Summer Experience and Maranook Christian Camp. He plans to attend Auburn University.