Vidalia Rotary Club Invests in Graduates’ Futures

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During their weekly meeting on Wednesday, May 13, Vidalia Rotary Club presented seven local graduates with scholarships to help them continue their education.

These scholarships were presented by Vidalia Rotary Club Scholarship Chair Ashley Crumpton and Rotarian April Chambers; the pair thanked fellow Rotarian and Ameris Bank Branch Manager and Vice President Lisa Strickland for her help in providing the students with the funding. Each scholarship presented $1,000 to its recipient and honored the memory and legacy of a Vidalia Rotarian, except the Presidential Scholarship, which presented $500 to the child of a current Vidalia Rotary Club member.

Vidalia High School Senior Matthew Peters accepted the Smitty Snell Memorial Scholarship, as Crumpton stated that Peters valued community service and civil commitment the same way that the late Smitty Snell did. “Mr. Peters embodies these values through his outstanding academic achievements and active community involvement, making him a truly deserving recipient of this award,” she remarked.

Vidalia High School Senior Emily Coleman accepted the Lisa Adams Memorial Scholarship, which honored someone with the same passion for education that Adams had. Crumpton highlighted that Adams dedicated herself to leading her community and never failed to advocate for economic development and education, as Adams held leadership positions on the Vidalia City Schools Board of Education and Toombs-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce.

The Frank Moore Memorial Scholarship was presented to Vidalia Heritage Academy Senior Anna Nalley. Crumpton shared that Nalley was selected for the scholarship because she embodied Moore’s spirit of service and leadership, as the scholarship was designed to help empower students who are committed to making a positive impact in their communities to continue excelling academically.

Vidalia Heritage Academy Senior Rilyn Rodgers received the Zack Fowler Honorary Scholarship, which is presented annually to students who exhibit outstanding academic achievement and active community engagement.

The Sam Polk Memorial Scholarship was presented to Vidalia High School Senior Ava Neesmith, as this scholarship also is presented annually to students who exhibit academic excellence, community engagement, and plan to attend an accredited university or technical college.

Vidalia High School Senior Sadie Berry was unable to attend the ceremony but was recognized for receiving the William Mitchell Scholarship. Berry was awarded this scholarship because of her servant leadership and commitment to her community.

The Presidential Scholarship was given to Vidalia High School Senior Eli Cleghorn, son of Vidalia Rotarian Jake Cleghorn.

The Club emphasized their pride in the graduates, as they shared it was an honor to be able to invest in these students’ futures.

SMITTY SNELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – L to R: Matthew Peters, April Chambers, Ashley Crumpton.

ZACK FOWLER HONORARY SCHOLARSHIP – L to R: Rilyn Rodgers, April Chambers, Ashley Crumpton.

FRANK MOORE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – L to R: Anna Nalley, April Chambers, Ashley Crumpton.

LISA ADAMS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP – L to R: Emily Coleman, April Chambers, Ashley Crumpton.

PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP – L to R: Eli Cleghorn, April Chambers, Ashley Crumpton.