Being related to a veteran means different things to different people; for four high school seniors in Cheatham County, it also means $500 in college scholarship money.
The North Cheatham Civitan Club and the Veterans Memorial of Pleasant View recently announced the winners of its first scholarship contest geared toward local seniors heading into college this fall.
Kyle Spurlock from Sycamore High School, Chad Lester from Pleasant View Christian School, Bailey Hays from Harpeth High School, and Antonia Steele from Cheatham County Central High School were selected by a specially designated committee on April 10, 2018.
The contest ran from March 1 to April 6; applicants were asked to submit information on themselves and a two-part essay describing how their relative’s service has impacted their life and their personal interpretation of patriotism.
According to George Leasure, chairman of the Civitan veterans committee, all who applied for the club’s inaugural scholarship giveaway, made possible by the Veterans Memorial of Pleasant View fund, were exactly what the group was looking for. “They were all young, patriotic, and prideful of their family member’s service.”
“As we continue to sell pavers for the memorial, the fund will grow. We currently have enough in the account to offer these scholarships for the next 10 years,” Leasure added about the program.
According to the terms of the scholarship, all monies must be used at a qualifying institution of post-secondary education defined as: a college, community college, university, or other accredited institution which awards two or four year degrees and which provides in-person classroom instruction. The scholarship award must be used during the first two (2) semesters immediately following the recipient’s graduation from high school.
Anyone interested in future scholarships is encouraged to reach out to George Leasure at leasureg@gmail.com or Brandy Willoughby (615) 394-3598 at willoughby0220@yahoo.com.