Kiwanis Club Opens Scholarship Application Period

mrandolphadvance@gmail.com

The Kiwanis Club of Vidalia is currently accepting applications for their annual scholarships, which are given to students attending Vidalia High School, Toombs County High School, Montgomery County High School, Robert Toombs Christian Academy, Vidalia Heritage Academy, and homeschoolers.

Each year, the Club gives out up to nine scholarships, ranging in value from $500-$1,000, to local students to help in their efforts to further their education. Each scholarship is named to honor the memory of former Kiwanis members and leaders in the community, and has its own unique application and differs in eligibility based on high school, selected college, and major.

These scholarships are: • Stephen A. Brown Scholarship – Established by a close friend, this scholarship honors the 1999 Vidalia Citizen of the Year and past president of the Vidalia Kiwanis Club.

Steve was best known for his unique laugh and his words of encouragement.

(Open to RTCA, TCHS, VHA, and VHS – $500 / $1000 – recipient must attend a college or technical school in Georgia; criteria include ability & desire to better oneself and financial need).

• William A. (“Jinky”) Hooker Schol- arship – Established in his loving memory by his mother, this scholarship honors Jinky Hooker who was a 6th grade student at JR Trippe Middle School at the time of his accidental death in 1987. This scholarship is awarded to a student attending Brewton- Parker Christian University. (Open to RTCA, TCHS, VHA, VHS, and home school – $1000 – criteria include ability and desire to better oneself and financial need).

• Tom P. Hutcheson Scholarship – The Vidalia Kiwanis Club, in order to provide a means for the community to honor one of its distinguished citizens and a Kiwanian, established this scholarship in his memory and to honor his term as Superintendent of the Vidalia City Schools for 19 years.

(Open to MCHS, RTCA, TCHA, VHA, VHS, and home school – $1000 – criteria include attending a college or university with the intention of working toward a bachelor’s degree, overall academic average of 80 or better, financial need, and preference is given to majors in educational administration).

• Kiwanis Club Fam –

ily Scholarship – Established by the Vidalia Kiwanis Club to recognize the contributions of our local members, this scholarship is available to the child(ren) or grandchild(ren) of active or long-time members in good standing of our local club. (Open to MCHS, RTCA, TCHS, VHA, VHS, and home school $500 – Will be awarded to a child or grandchild of an active or longtime member of the Vidalia Kiwanis Club, must be accepted to a college or university with the intention of working towards a degree, overall academic average of 80 or better, and preference will be given to those students who have shown a desire to volunteer in their communities, especially in the area of helping, mentoring, or bettering the lives of children).

• R.E. Ledford Scholarship – The Vidalia Kiwanis Club established this scholarship to honor one of its distinguished former presidents, Roscoe E. Ledford. (Open to MCHS, RTCA, TCHS, VHA, VHS, or home school – $1000 – criteria include attending a college or university with the intention of earning a bachelor’s degree, overall academic average of 80 or better, financial need, and preference is given to applicants majoring in mass media communication).

• Cli A. Poe Schol –

arship – This scholarship is awarded each year to two students – one graduate from VHS and one graduate from one of our other area schools. The scholarship was originally named the Kiwanis Club Scholarship but was renamed the Cliff A. Poe scholarship to recognize and honor, during his lifetime, its only living charter member of our club. Recipients of this scholarship attend Southeastern Technical College.

(Open to MCHS, RTCA, TCHS, VHA, VHS, and home school – $500 per scholarship – criteria include attending STC, financial need, and ability & desire to better oneself).

• Dr. Larry Smith Scholarship – Established to provide a means for the community to honor one of its distinguished citizens and a Kiwanian who died an untimely death, recipients of this scholarship attend Dr. Smith’s alma mater, the University of Georgia. (Open to MCHS, RTCA, TCHS, VHA, VHS, and home school $1000 – criteria include attending UGA with the intention of obtaining a bachelor’s degree, overall academic average of 80 or better, and financial need).

• J.R. Trippe Scholar –

ship – In 1981, this scholarship was established by a community-wide committee to honor the memory of a former superintendent of the Vidalia City School system. (Open to VHS $1000 – criteria include attending a college or university with the intention of working towards a bachelor’s degree, overall academic average of 80 or better, financial need, and major emphasis is given to accomplishments, not scholastic average).

• Dorothy and Wil –

liam Warthen Scholar –

ship – The family of Dorothy Warthen began this scholarship in her honor.

Mrs. Warthen faithfully served the community as a teacher in the Vidalia City School system for 22 years. Preference is given to students attending Georgia College & State University, Mrs. Warthen’s alma mater. (Open to VHS – $1000 – criteria include overall academic average of 85 or better, financial need, ability & desire to better oneself, and priority is given to graduates planning to attend Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville).

Students should see their guidance counselors for applications for these scholarships; if homeschooled, please contact the Kiwanis Club of Vidalia for an application.

Donations to scholarship funds will also be accepted by mail at PO Box 1183, Vidalia, GA 30475-1183.

All applications are due by March 17.