The Asheboro City Schools Education Foundation presented 23 scholarships for a total of $20,500 to the Class of 2010 Thursday night during Asheboro High Schools scholarship awards night. “We are so excited to see the number of foundation scholarships grow each year thanks to our many alumni and community supporters,” said Dr. Diane Frost, superintendent and foundation chair.
The following scholarships were awarded June 3, 2010:
The Brooke Upchurch Phillips Scholarship was presented by Mr. Larry Phillips, Brooke’s father to Missy Bagley. This $1,000 award was established in memory of Brooke Phillips, a graduate of Asheboro High School who lost her life in a car accident. Brooke was an avid believer in organ and tissue donation and today she lives on through 52 people that have benefited from her gift of life, as well as this annual scholarship that recognizes a senior who has demonstrated excellence in scholastic ability, leadership and a commitment to Christian values.
Mr. Tom Quinn, Food Services director in Asheboro City Schools for Sodexho, presented the Sodexho Services Scholarship of $1,000 to Daniel Trogdon. This scholarship recognizes a senior who exhibits good citizenship in his/her family, school and community; good academic record; outstanding work ethic and personal character.
Ms. Denise Smith, with the Klaussner Human Resources Department, presented the sixth annual JB and Claire Davis Klaussner Scholarship of Excellence. This $1,000 scholarship recognizes a student who has been accepted to an accredited 2 or 4 year university and ranks in the top 25% of the class. The student must demonstrate good moral character, be involved in a variety of extra-curricular activities, and have a parent who is a Klaussner employee. This year’s recipient was Meredith Foscue.
Mr. Bill Robinson presented the Toby Cain Memorial Scholarship to senior Kara Dough. This $1,000 scholarship was established in memory of Toby Cain by his many friends and classmates who were members of the AHS Class of 1981. Toby died tragically at age 15 in October of 1978. He loved life and enjoyed wrestling, baseball and football. Toby was a true scholar athlete. Toby had an infections smile and was an easy-going young man.
Juanita Kesler presented the Derek Kesler Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to Ali Hernandez. Derek graduated from AHS in 1998 and was a member of the Cross-Country and Junior Varsity Baseball teams and active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was a lifelong member of Central United Methodist Church where he was active in the youth group. On July 24, 1999 he and his father were both killed by a drunk driver, leaving a community forever changed. Searching for a way to remember Derek’s generous spirit, his family and friends established this scholarship to be awarded to an AHS senior each year who embodies the ideals Derek held close to his heart: being a good role model, providing service for others, and self-discipline.
Dr. Gurmukh Walha presented the Dr. Gurdial S. and Mrs. Surinder Walha Scholarship to Jessica Harris. Dr. Sue Walha established this scholarship in honor of her in-laws and their love of education. This $500 scholarship recognizes a female student in the top 15% of her class, who has taken courses in advanced math or science and plans to pursue a career in the medical field.
The Asheboro Business Community Scholarship was established under the leadership of Foundation trustees Mr. Sam Ramsey and Mr. David Cross. Twenty-nine local businesses contributed funds to endow a scholarship to recognize a student that has excelled in the classroom and active at Asheboro High School while maintaining a job in our community. Mr. Ramsey presented the fifth annual $500 Asheboro Business Community Scholarship to Sarah Johnson.
Victor Gordon presented the Dr. Bob Gordon Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to Abbey Ford. This scholarship was established to honor the former superintendent of Asheboro City Schools. The criteria includes academics, being a good role model, leader, and citizen, and choosing a career that will one day have an impact on public education.
Mr. Bill Ivey, AHS Class of 1958, presented the first Ruby B. Smith Memorial Scholarship to senior Austin Ocheltree. On November 28, 2006, Ruby Bass Smith, a beloved teacher at Asheboro High School, died at the age of 92. During a distinguished mathematics teaching career both in Asheboro and at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, her alma mater, she inspired and challenged scores of students to study mathematics without fear and to enjoy the results of their study. Former students, family and friends established this $1,000 scholarship to pay tribute to her legacy and assist a senior in the top 25% of their class and pursuing a degree in the math or science field.
RuthAnn Scott owner of the local Express Employment Professionals office presented one scholarship valued at $500. This scholarship goes to a senior in the top 20% of their class, who has been accepted to a 4 year college or university, involved in community service and plans to pursue a career in Human Services or a related field. The Express Employment Professionals Scholarship went to senior Nolan Wilson.
Dr. Diane Frost presented the following twelve Foundation Scholarships:
The B. Frank Barham Excellence in Mathematics Award is given to a member of the senior class who has completed Calculus and is ranked in the top 25% of the class. The recipient must have been accepted to college and displayed skill and enthusiasm for the study of mathematics. This year’s recipient of a $500 scholarship was Tommy Guy.
The Shann Redding Scholarship for Excellence in the amount of $1,000 was presented to Christopher Brown. The Redding scholar must be accepted to college and be involved in extra-curricular activities while at Asheboro High School.
The Fennell Memorial Scholarship was established in loving memory of an Asheboro educator—Christine Clark Fennell. The Foundation wishes to honor her by helping to provide money for a young person’s continued education. The recipient of the Fennell Scholarship in the amount of $500 was Li Mei Huang.
Long time educator and band director Joseph B. Fields legacy lives on through the Fields Scholarship in the amount of $500 awarded to Kira White.
The Foundation honored educator and legendary football coach Lee J. Stone, who gave much to the community of Asheboro. The recipient of the Stone Scholarship in the amount of $500 is Scott Conrad.
The Charles Reitzel Smith Memorial Scholarship for $500 was presented to senior Samantha Palma. Charles Reitzel Smith was a lifelong resident of this community and a graduate in the AHS Class of 1930. He was a successful business entrepreneur and active civic leader. He was a strong advocate of public education and an avid supporter of the sports programs at Asheboro High School. Mr. Smith delighted in supporting deserving young people in their pursuit of educational goals. This scholarship was endowed by his family to perpetuate his legacy and commemorate his life and dedication to this community.
The Lee Phoenix Scholarship was established by Anita Phoenix in honor of her husband’s service in education. Mr. Phoenix served six years as the principal of Asheboro High School, and later served ten years as superintendent of Asheboro City Schools beginning in 1973. The Phoenix scholarship is awarded to a student in the top 25% of their class who demonstrates good moral character and is involved in extra-curricular activities. The $1,000 Lee Phoenix Scholarship was presented to Matthew McLeod.
The Richard Harrington Scholarship was established in loving memory of an Asheboro educator who died in 1993. The scholarship honors Mr. Harrington by helping provide money for a young person’s continued education that is planning to pursue a career in education. The recipient of the $500 Richard Harrington Scholarship was Jade Queen.
The Pam Hill Scholarship for $500 was presented to Shellburne Grant. This scholarship was established by Pam’s family in honor of her service on the Asheboro City Board of Education and life-long commitment to public service. This scholarship is awarded to an AHS senior who demonstrates the dedication and aptitude for a career in public service.
The T. Henry Redding Scholarship worth $1,000 and renewable for four years was presented to Breanna Spinks. This scholarship goes to a senior who ranks in the top 20% of the class and plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill where Mr. Redding was a member of the Board. The recipient has displayed academic achievement, as well as involvement in community and scholastic activities.
Acme-McCrary and the Sapona Foundation established a new scholarship last year in honor of William H. Redding and his service to the Asheboro community. The recipient must be planning to attend The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, been active in their school and community and displayed strong academic achievement. This year’s recipient was Jessica Leach.
The Asheboro City Schools’ Centennial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 was awarded to Robbie Anderson. This scholarship was endowed by Asheboro High School alumni in honor of the Asheboro City Schools Centennial celebration in 2005. This award recognizes a young person who has excelled in all aspects as a student---in the classroom, community, athletics, and in extracurricular involvement.
The Richard Morgan Scholarship in the amount of $500 was presented to Raziel Blanco on May 20th during the AHS chorus concert. This scholarship was established in honor of former chorus teacher Richard Morgan for is service and dedication to the students and community.
The Asheboro City Schools Education Foundation was established in 1991 by Superintendent Dr. Bob Gordon and awarded its first scholarships in May 1993 for a total of $2,200. Donations may be mailed to PO Box 1103, Asheboro, NC 27204 or for more information about the Foundation, contact Carla Freemyer at 625-5104.