Scholarships awarded to deserving students

By Jo Ann Anderson Beken

During graduation ceremonies at Groveton High School on May 27, the Groveton Ex-Students Association awarded in excess of $80,000 to 16 college students and 10 graduating seniors.

We were honored to present seven new scholarships.

A one-time scholarship in memory of W.B. Due Jr., who served on the Groveton ISD school board for more than 30 years. This scholarship was funded by lifetime memberships purchased this past year through our association. (You can acquire a two-year membership for $10. A lifetime membership is a great deal at $50. Please see our Facebook page for details on how to join.)

New scholarships were added in memory of Patrick Johnson, Marcus Williams and Darlene Pyle. These were funded by friends and loved ones of these Groveton Indians.

Darlene’s scholarship was funded by her immediate family, including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Darlene served on our board for many years and was the ultimate Groveton supporter.
A scholarship has also been established in honor of George and Betty Whittlesey by their children, Randel, Karen Key and David Whittlesey, all GHS graduates. Whittlesey was a long-time teacher in the Groveton school district and Betty has served on the ex-students board of directors for many years. Their service to our community and GISD is much appreciated, and we thank their children for creating this scholarship in their honor.
We were also the recipient of the Groveton Chamber of Commerce’s generosity as they closed their doors and remembered GHS students with their donation to our scholarship account. An anonymous donor graciously donated to our scholarship fund, and we are thankful for their generosity.

We are so grateful to be able to offer these scholarships and remember and honor loved ones in this special way. Our GHS students are so fortunate to have this support from our community.

Seniors receiving scholarships are:

• Caden Alexander: Chandler, Galenor, James and Cook Memorial, Don and La’Nette Hill Memorial, John III and James E. Collins Memorial, Joseph and Patricia Hensley Memorial, Rolland, Ludie and David Smith Memorial

• Carson Antley: Will B. and Louise Dial Donalson Memorial, Walter and Olivia Bowers Dial Memorial, Rolland, Ludie, and David Smith Family Memorial, Mildred Barnett Smith Honorary

• Shelby Arnold: Robert and Arrie Zona Lawrence Memorial, Thelma L. Terry Memorial, W.R. and Rose Reese Memorial, Anonymous Donor

• Katie Blanchard: Clara Ferguson Memorial, Sadie Choate Memorial, George and Enda Mae Dean Memorial, Don and La’Nette Hill Memorial, Marcus Williams Memorial, Rolland, Ludie and David Smith Family Memorial, Mildred Barnett Smith Honorary

• Hayden Lee: Bobby Sam Harkins Memorial, Darwin and Robbie Creasy Memorial, Winston, Velda, and Robert Rush Memorial, Rolland, Ludie, and David Smith Memorial, Mildred Barnett Smith Honorary

• Kayley McCrory: Rolland, Ludie, and David Smith Memorial, Mildred Barnett Smith Honorary, Anonymous, Kate Atkinson Bell Memorial

• Kassie Plotts: 2022 Valedictorian, Patrick Johnson Memorial, WB Due Memorial, Rolland, Ludie, and David Smith Memorial, Mildred Barnett Smith Honorary

• Tuff Reynolds: Hugh Roy Robb Memorial, Wade Williams Memorial, Anonymous

• Camely Shuford: Groveton Chamber of Commerce, Robb Stevenson Memorial, W.I. Stevenson Memorial, Anonymous
Hannah Spurgeon: Barney Callahan Memorial, Band Boosters, Don and La’Nette Hill Memorial, Kate Atkinson Bell Memorial, PD and Florene Johnson Hamilton Memorial, WR and Rose Reese Memorial

College students who were awarded scholarships are:

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• Caitlyn Antley: Don and La’Nette Hill Memorial, Winton and Quinton Lawrence Memorial, Rolland, Ludie, and David Smith Memorial, Mildred Barnett Smith Honorary

• Jordan Brooks: Rolland, Ludie, and David Smith Memorial, Mildred Barnett Smith Honorary

• Javier Chavez: Bobby Sam Harkins Memorial, Rolland, Ludie, and David Smith Memorial, Mildred Barnett Smith Honorary

• Hannah Dial: Sadie Choate Memorial, Clifton and Annie Reynolds Memorial, Rolland, Ludie, and David Smith Memorial, Mildred Barnett Smith Honorary

• Canaan Dillard: Sadie Choate Memorial, Rolland, Ludie, and David Smith Memorial, Mildred Barnett Smith Honorary

• Emily Ecord: 2021 Valedictorian, Reba Anderson Memorial, Bobby Sam Harkins Memorial, Rolland, Ludie, and David Smith Memorial, Mildred Barnett Smith Honorary

• Meredith Ecord: 2019 Valedictorian, Reba Anderson Memorial, Mildred Barnett Smith Honorary, Rolland, Ludie and David Smith Memorial, George and Betty Whittlesey Honorary

• Zachary Fisher: Bessie Mae Key Memorial, David and Corrie Benton Memorial, Jerry Don Reynolds Memorial, Rolland, Ludie, and David Smith Memorial, Mildred Barnett Smith Honorary

• Haley Lightsey: Groveton Ex-Students Association, C.E. and Luna James Memorial

• Kadee Johnson: Wade Williams Memorial, Mildred Barnett Smith Honorary

• Lindsay Jones: Winton and Quinton Lawrence Memorial, Mildred Barnett Smith Honorary

• Charles Austin McKinney: C.E. and Luna James Memorial, Mervin, Hazel, Lynn Ray Smith Memorial, Wade Williams Memorial

• Cole Sullivan: Lois Turner Holden Memorial, William and Edna Skains Johnson Memorial

• Lena Taylor: Sadie Choate Memorial, Barney Callahan Memorial, Darlene Pyle Memorial, Wade Williams Memorial

• Teagan Torregrossa: Groveton Chamber of Commerce, Thelma L. Terry Memorial

• Megan Turrentine: Lois Turner Holden Memorial, W.G. and Beulah Ellisor Rosser Memorial

Congratulations and best wishes to all of these Groveton Indians who are pursuing higher education. Thank you to all of the donor families for honoring or remembering their loved ones in this powerful way.

Jo Ann Anderson Beken is president of the Groveton Ex-Students Association.