May 6, 2018

Scholarships Awarded to Prince Students During Recognition Day Ceremonies

Prince Avenue Christian School is blessed to enjoy the faithful generosity of friends and alumni who make scholarships for Prince students possible.  Thirteen scholarships were awarded for the 2018-19 school year during the recent Recognition Day ceremonies.

The $1,000 Kathy Stamatinos Geyer Memorial Scholarship was awarded to junior Abby Frost.  The recipient is selected by a committee which established the scholarship to honor the memory of former Prince Avenue teacher Kathy Geyer who showed a passion for teaching and a love for her students.  This scholarship was presented by Mrs. Geyer’s dear friend, Christy McCall.

The family of Ward Asher Elrod established a foundation and scholarship to honor a young family member who was born with hydrocephalus.  Asher is an Old Testament name meaning “blessing or happy”.  The mission of this foundation is to “bring happiness and blessings to others both physically and spiritually”.  This year, the Asher Foundation has awarded a $2,000 scholarship to 7th grader Tucker Maxey presented by Mr. and Mrs. Brian Elrod.

Third-grader Anders Ficken was awarded the Ruby Evelyn Brown Scholarship, a $1,000 scholarship given in loving memory of Mrs. Ruby Evelyn Brown, a former member of Prince Avenue Baptist Church.

The Shoff Foundation Scholarship, established by Mr. Richard Mason and family in loving memory of Mr. Sheldon T. Shoff, was awarded to Kindergartener Eliza Kahlil, 1st grader Coleman Ficken, 2nd grader Jude Khalil, 5th grader Rahel Khalil, sophomore Kenzi Bray, and sophomore Eden Solomon. 

The Jon Desso Scholarship was established to remember and honor the life of Jon Desso, a graduate of PACS Class of 2000 and the University of Georgia.  Jon went home to be with the Lord on November 3, 2004.  His friends and family desire to use this tragedy to bring honor to the name of the Lord.  This $5000 scholarship is given to two PACS students each academic school year and was presented by one of Jon’s friend and member of the Jon Desso Scholarship Committee, Mr. Ben Carson.  The recipients for the 2018 -2019 school year are freshman Joe Conner and sophomore Jaden Drudge. 

The Chick-fil-A Christian Service Scholarship was created by the Shane Todd family to honor a student who shows extraordinary Christian service in his or her community.  The $2,000 scholarship was awarded this year to 6th grader Aidan-Alexandra Washington.

The Reg Gattie Sing Strong Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of the former Prince Avenue Baptist Church worship minister, who passed away five years ago after a long illness.  The Reg Gattie Scholarship Committee honors a student who uses his or her God-given musical talents to glorify the Lord through Christian character and leadership and desires to major or minor in music in college.  The $1,000 scholarship was awarded to sophomore Chloe Ferguson.

The William H. Ricketts Scholarship, established by the school to honor the pastor of Prince Avenue Baptist Church, is awarded to a student who demonstrates a commitment to his or her walk with the Lord, a commitment to a local church, and a desire to serve Christ in his or her daily walk.   This year, Bill Ricketts retired as Senior Pastor of PABC and has redirected his ministry.  His son, Richard Ricketts, presented this $1,500 scholarship to junior Chria Sharp.

Fifth-grade student Brody Conner is the recipient of the Christopher Lee Newcomer Memorial Scholarship.  The $200 scholarship award honors the life of a young PACS student who passed away in an airplane accident in 2010.  Teachers nominate elementary students who exemplify Christ-like characteristics and a passion for learning for this scholarship.

Major A.D. Reynolds established the Richard S. Reynolds Foundation and the Missionary Emergency Fund Scholarship in 1920 to recognize students who are passionate about sharing the gospel at home and around the world.  This $1,000 scholarship was presented by Ms. Elizabeth McLaney and Billy McLaney to 4th grader Whit Bahnsen.

The Candace Coles Todd “Climb Every Mountain” Scholarship was established by PACS to honor long time and admired teacher Candy Todd.  Candy passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded each year to a student that has shown a spirit of joy through trials and has persevered.  This year’s scholarship was presented to 4th grader Caleb Murray by Candy’s husband Garry Todd and son Adam Yelton.

The Melissa Stokes and Michael Kirby Tyler Memorial Scholarship was lovingly established by their family in their memory.  The recipient of this award is a senior who will be attending the University of Georgia and characterizes the attributes of working diligently and intelligently, expressing joy and love for the Lord, and displaying a devotion to Prince.  The recipient of this scholarship was senior Sara Thompson. 

The Megan Twist Memorial Scholarship was established to remember and honor the life of Megan Twist who died last year in a tragic accident.  Megan was a 2011 National Honor Society PACS graduate and winner of numerous academic and extra-curricular awards.  The PACS faculty submitted nominees, and many students were outstanding finalists.  However, senior Emma Taylor emerged as the one nominee that was most reflective of Megan’s heart for people and family. Emma was described by her nominating teachers as vivacious, kind, and encourager to both peers and adults, conscientious, compassionate, cheerful, intelligent, and thoughtful.   It is the hope of the Megan Twist Scholarship committee that this yearly $10,000 college scholarship will bring glory to Christ and encourage others to love more intentionally as God has shown his love. The founding donors of this memorial gift wish to remain anonymous.

 

               
Kathy Stamatinos Geyer Memorial Scholarship             Asher Foundation Scholarship
Christy McCall and Abby Frost                                             Kim Elrod, Ward Elrod, Tucker Maxey, and Brian Elrod

 

               
 Ruby Evelyn Brown Scholarship               The Shoff Foundation Scholarship
Anders Ficken                                                  Coleman Ficken, Rahel Kahlil, Jude Kahlil, Eden Solomon, 
                                                                             Eliza Kahlil, and Kenzi Bray

 

               
The Jon Desso Scholarship                                                       The CFA Christian Service Scholarship
Joe Conner, Ben Carson, and Jaden Drudge                         Aidan-Alexandra Washington

 

               
The Reg Gattie Sing Strong                        The William H. Ricketts Scholarship   
Scholarship                                                     Chria Sharp
Chloe Ferguson

 

               
The Christopher Newcomer                         Richard S. Reynolds Foundation and the 
Scholarship                                                      Missionary Emergency Fund Scholarship
Brody Conner                                                  Billy McLaney, Whit Bahnsen. and Ms. Elizabeth McLaney

 

               
The Candace Coles Todd “Climb Every Mountain”            The Melissa Stokes and 
Scholarship                                                                                  Michael Kirby Tyler Memorial Scholarship
Adam Yelton, Caleb Murray, and Garry Todd                      Sara Thompson

 

The Megan Twist Memorial Scholarship
Joe Taylor, Barbara Bernotas, Emma Taylor,
Roy Twist, and Haley Taylor