May 13, 2019
Students Awarded PACS Scholarships for the 2019-20 School Year
Prince Avenue Christian School is blessed to enjoy the faithful generosity of friends and alumni who make scholarships for Prince students possible. Twelve scholarships were awarded for the 2019-20 school year during the recent Recognition Day ceremonies.
The $1,000 Kathy Stamatinos Geyer Memorial Scholarship was awarded to freshman Jackson Mitchell. 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 6th grader Brody Conner presented by Mr. Brian Elrod and Prince student Ward Elrod.
Seventh-grader Gabi Timms 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 4th grader Andrew Hample and 7th grader Taylor Nixon.
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, Mrs. Cindy Reynolds. The recipients for the 2019 -2020 school year are sophomore Joe Conner and junior Chloe Ferguson.
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 7th grader Sara Kate Marable and was presented by Shane and Carri Leigh Todd.
The Reg Gattie Sing Strong Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of the former Prince Avenue Baptist Church worship minister, who passed away 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 8th grader David Simpkins.
The William H. Ricketts Scholarship, established by the school to honor the former 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. His son, Richard Ricketts, presented this $1,500 scholarship to junior Eden Solomon.
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 5th grader Whit Bahnsen, 8th grader Charlie Frierson, and 8th grader Jolee McElveen.
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 7th grader Aidan-Alexandra Washington by Candy’s 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 devotion to Prince. The recipient of this scholarship was senior Gracie Ricketts.
The Megan Twist Memorial Scholarship was established to remember and honor the life of Megan Twist. Megan was a 2011 National Honor Society PACS graduate and winner of numerous academic and extra-curricular awards. The PACS faculty submitted nominees, and senior John Morgan emerged as the one nominee that was most reflective of Megan’s heart for people and family. John was described by his nominating teachers as a true friend to all, extremely motivated to succeed, an enthusiastic student who engages in class discussions with probing questions, extremely reliable, and a team player who has an excellent sense of humor and is very respectful. 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 Asher Foundation Scholarship: Ruby Evelyn Brown Scholarship:
Memorial Scholarship: Brian Elrod, Brody, Conner, Gabi Timms
ChristyMcCall & Jackson Mitchell & Ward Elrod
Shoff Foundation Scholarship: Jon Desso Scholarship: Chick-fil-A Christian Service
Andrew Hample & Taylor Nixon Chloe Ferguson, Cindy Reynolds, Scholarship: Shane Todd,
& Joe Conner Sara Kate Marable, &
Carri Leigh Todd
Reg Gattie Sing Strong Memorial William H. Ricketts Scholarship: Richard S. Reynolds & Missionary
Scholarship: David Simpkins Richard Ricketts & Eden Emergency Fund Scholarship:
Solomon Jolee McElveen, Charlie Frierson,
Elizabeth McLaney, Mary Reynolds
Simpson, Whit Bahnsen, & Billy McLaney
Candace Coles Todd “Climb Melissa Stokes & Michael Kirby The Megan Twist Memorial
Every Mountain” Scholarship Tyler Memorial Scholarship: Scholarship:
Adam Yelton & Aidan-Alexandra Gracie Ricketts John Morgan, Barbara Bernotas,
Washington & Lenny Bernotas