Local kids receive $27k in scholarships

By Cheryl Johnson, Clarendon Enterprise

Four local students recently received scholarships from the Texas Interscholastic League Foundation.

Hedley graduates Lowell Ellerbrook and Rachel Howard and Clarendon graduates Noel Devin and Lindy Helms received different scholarships for their participation at the UIL Academic State Meet and for compiling an outstanding record of academic and extracurricular achievement.

Lowell Ellerbrook and Rachel Howard each received a Robert A. Welch Foundation Scholarship in the amount of $12,800, payable $1,600 each semester for four years.  This year the Welch Foundation awarded a total of 20 grants to students who have participated in the University Interscholastic League Academic State Meet and who plan to major in chemistry, biochemistry, or chemical engineering.

Ellerbrook placed second in Science at the 1999 and 2000 UIL Academic State Meet.  He also competed and placed in Mathematics and Number Sense at the 1999 and 2000 State Meets.  He participated in UIL One Act Play, Editorial Writing, Football, Cross-Country, Baseball, Basketball, and Track throughout his high school career.  He was involved in Future Farmers of America, and National Honor Society and was Salutatorian of his graduating class.  He was active in the community through Boy Scouts of America and volunteer efforts.

Ellerbrook plans to attend Texas Tech University and major in Biochemistry. 

Howard competed in Science at the 1998, 1999, and 2000 UIL Academic State Meets, and was a member of the first place team in 2000.  She also participated in UIL One Act Play, Editorial Writing, Choir, and Basketball throughout high school.  She was National Honor Society President, Senior Class President, Business Professionals of America Area President, and Valedictorian of her graduating class.  She was active in the community through volunteer efforts.

Howard plans to attend Texas Tech University and major in Chemistry.

Noel Devin and Lindy Helms each received a Houston Endowment, Inc., Scholarship in the amount of $1,000, payable $500 each semester for the first year.  This year the Houston Endowment awarded  a total of 34 grants to students who have participated in the University Interscholastic League State Meet and who have an outstanding record of academic and extracurricular achievement.

Devin placed third in Editorial Writing and competed in Current Issues and Events at the 2000 UIL Academic State Meet.  She also participated in UIL Literary Criticism, One Act Play, Ready Writing, Golf, Band, and Solo and Ensemble competitions.  She was involved in National Honor Society, Yearbook, Spanish Club, and Student Council.  She was Valedictorian of her class and was active in the community through her various volunteer efforts.

Devin plans to attend Texas A&M University and major in History and Journalism.

Helms placed third in Feature Writing at the 2000 UIL Academic State Meet.  She participated in UIL News Writing, Editorial Writing, Cross-Country, Marching Band, and Solo and Ensemble competitions throughout her high school career.  She was involved in National Honor Society, Junior Historians, Yearbook Staff, and Texas Association of Future Educators and was active in the community through volunteer efforts.

Helms plans to attend Texas Tech University and major in Advertising/Journalism.