ASHEBORO — The Asheboro City Schools Education Foundation presented 21 scholarships for a total of $20,000 to the Class of 2008 during Asheboro High Schools scholarship awards night held June 3.
The following scholarships were awarded:
Brooke Upchurch Phillips Scholarship: Presented by Larry Phillips, Brooke’s father, to Caroline Cox. This $1,000 award was established in memory of Brooke Phillips, a graduate of Asheboro High School who died 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.
Sodexho Services Scholarship: Tom Quinn, food services director in Asheboro City Schools for Sodexho, presented the $1,000 scholarship to Valerie Spencer. 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.
JB and Claire Davis Klaussner Scholarship of Excellence: Chris Forester with the Klaussner Human Resources Department presented the fourth annual $1,000 scholarship to Catherine Miller. This scholarship recognizes a student who has been accepted to an accredited two- or four-year university and ranks in the top 25 percent 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.
Derek Kesler Memorial Scholarship: Fred Huffstetler presented the $1,500 scholarship to Rebecca Yow. 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. Gurdial S. and Mrs. Surinder Walha Scholarship: Dr. Gurmukh Walha presented the $500 scholarship to Rebekah Siddiqui. Dr. Sue Walha established this scholarship in honor of her in-laws and their love of education. This scholarship recognizes a female student in the top 15 percent of her class, who has taken courses in advanced math or science and plans to pursue a career in the medical field.
Asheboro Business Community Scholarship: Established under the leadership of Foundation trustees Sam Ramsey and David Cross, 29 local businesses contributed funds to endow a scholarship to recognize a student who has excelled in the classroom and is active at Asheboro High School while maintaining a job in the community. Ramsey presented the third annual $1,000 scholarship to Allison Mason.
Charles Reitzel Smith Memorial Scholarship: Marylin Smith Fowler presented the $500 scholarship to Patrick Clark. Her father, Charles Reitzel Smith, was a life-long resident of Asheboro and a 1932 graduate of AHS. A lasting contribution of his career at Asheboro High was that he and a fellow classmate are credited with giving the original name of “Blue Comets” to the sports teams.
From an industrious young man, Smith became an astute businessman and an avid supporter of community life. Of utmost importance to him was a strong public education system. He served 18 years as a member and former chairman of the Asheboro City Board of Education.
Smith was noted for his compassion and sensitivity to the needs of others. He took great pleasure in providing financial assistance to young people who were seeking a college degree. To perpetuate his legacy, his wife and three children established the C. Reitzel Smith Memorial Scholarship.
Pam Hill Scholarship: Jimmy and Pam Hill presented the $500 scholarship to Sherrell Gales. 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.
Ruby B. Smith Memorial Scholarship: Bob Caviness, AHS Class of 1958, presented the first Ruby B. Smith Memorial Scholarship to senior Kirby Micka. On Nov. 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 percent of their class and pursuing a degree in the math or science field.
Express Employment Professionals Scholarships: RuthAnn Scott, owner of the local Express Employment Professionals office, presented two scholarships valued at $500 each to seniors Ryan Hodgin and Matt Pursley. Each scholarship goes to a senior in the top 20 percent of their class, who has been accepted to a four-year college or university, is involved in community service and plans to pursue a career in human services or a related field.
Dr. Diane Frost, superintendent and foundation chair, presented the following Foundation scholarships:
B. Frank Barham Excellence in Mathematics Award: The $500 scholarship was awarded to Joey Guy. The scholarship is given to a member of the senior class who has completed calculus and is ranked in the top 25 percent of the class. The recipient must have been accepted to college and displayed skill and enthusiasm for the study of mathematics.
Shann Redding Scholarship for Excellence: The $1,500 scholarship was awarded to Drew Brisley. The Redding scholar must be accepted to college and be involved in extra-curricular activities while at Asheboro High School.
Fennell Memorial Scholarship: The $500 scholarship was presented to Laura Andrews. It was established in memory of Asheboro educator Christine Clark Fennell. The Foundation wishes to honor her by helping to provide money for a young person’s continued education.
Fields Scholarship: The $500 scholarship was awarded to Meleah Facuette. Long time educator and band director Joseph B. Fields legacy lives on through the scholarship.
Stone Scholarship: The $500 scholarship was awarded to Justin Smith in honor of educator and legendary football coach Lee J. Stone, who gave much to the community of Asheboro.
Lee Phoenix Scholarship: The $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Megan Darden. It was established by Anita Phoenix in honor of her husband, who served six years as the principal of Asheboro High School, and later served 10 years as superintendent of Asheboro City Schools beginning in 1973. The scholarship is awarded to a student in the top 25 percent of their class who demonstrates good moral character and is involved in extra-curricular activities.
Richard Harrington Scholarship: The $500 scholarship was awarded to Hal Davis. Established in memory of Asheboro educator Richard Harrington, who died in 1993, the scholarship honors Harrington by helping provide money for a young person’s continued education that is planning to pursue a career in education.
Dr. Bob Gordon Scholarship: The $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Chad Shannon. 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.
T. Henry Redding Scholarship: The $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Tyler Pollard and is renewable for four years. The scholarship goes to a senior who ranks in the top 20 percent of the class and plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill where Redding was a member of the board. The recipient has displayed academic achievement, as well as involvement in community and scholastic activities.
Asheboro City Schools’ Centennial Scholarship: The $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Samantha Lovin. 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 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 can be mailed to P.O. Box 1103, Asheboro, NC 27204. For more information about the Foundation, contact Carla Freemyer at (336) 625-5104.’
