Local grads receive $421k in scholarships

Donley County high school graduates for 2016 have received $421,350 to further their education, according to announcements made last week.

Clarendon High School seniors are eligible for or have received $379,650, and the total for Hedley seniors is $41,700.

Students from both Clarendon and Hedley are eligible for $500 from Clarendon College. The Bulldog Bucks Tuition Assistance Program will help to defray the cost of tuition, fees, books, and housing costs. Bulldog Bucks can be used to cover any unpaid balance up to $250 per semester. That represents a $14,000 commitment to the youth of Clarendon and a $5,500 commitment to Hedley seniors.

CC President Robert Riza has also instituted a tuition cap so that Clarendon and Hedley graduates will never have to pay for more than 12 credit hours per semester no matter how many hours they take.

Additionally, there is also been a $60,000 commitment by the Clarendon College Foundation to fund the PEAK scholarship for Clarendon High School dual credit students while still in high school.

Individual recognitions for Clarendon were as follows:

Karlee Adams is a recipient of the $300 scholarship from the Donley County Retired School Personnel Association, the Les Beaux Art Club scholarship for $300 and The R.C. and Agnes Johnson Scholarship to WTAMU for $2,000.

Ana Araujo-Ana received the Betsy Ellerbrook Scholarship for $500 which is given to a band member who has exhibited good conduct and leadership throughout their high school career and has demonstrated a willingness to be involved in extra band activities.

Cooper Bilbrey is anticipated to receive a TLIF UIL Scholarship for state participation for an unspecified amount.

Junior Ceniceros was awarded a PEAK Scholarship for $2000 or $1000 per semester to Clarendon College. This scholarship is awarded through a local foundation and agreement between Clarendon CISD and Clarendon College.

Caleb Cobb has been awarded an academic scholarship to Abilene Christian University for an estimated value of $56,000 over four years in addition to a $1,000 Salutatorian Scholarship. It is anticipated that Caleb will receive a UIL TLIF scholarship for being a UIL state qualifier for an unannounced amount at this time. The Walter B. Knorpp Salutatorian Scholarship to Clarendon College with an estimated value of $4,000. Caleb’s last scholarship is the Thomas Lynch (Jack) Roach IV Memorial scholarship. This scholarship is for $500 per semester for two years or $2000.

Kendra Davis has received two Valedictory scholarships. The first is the Walter B. Knorpp scholarship valued at $4,000 and the last is the State of Texas tuition waiver valued at up to $5,000 dependent upon the choice of college. In addition, she has been awarded a $500 Lions Club Sweetheart Scholarship and a Cross Roads Peanut Scholarship for $500.

Blaine Ellis is the recipient of the Bill Talley Memorial Scholarship for $1000.

Bryce Hatley is the recipient of a $2000 PEAK scholarship.

Sterling King is the recipient of a $2000 PEAK Scholarship.

Kelsey McAnear-Kelsey is the recipient of a $2000 PEAK Scholarship and a $500 Herring National Bank Scholarship

Chesson Sims is the recipient of a $2000 PEAK Scholarship. Chesson is the recipient of The Welch Foundation Scholarship which supports college scholarships through the Texas Interscholastic League Foundation (TILF). Applicants must apply through TILF. The Foundation provides up to 20 scholarships annually up to $14,000 each, payable over four years. Chesson may be eligible for other TLIF scholarship money, but those have not been announced yet. Chesson has also received the Homer Estlack Memorial Scholarship for $250 to attend Clarendon College.

Alysse Simpson was awarded the Jacob Dean Smith Memorial Scholarship for $500.

Samantha Spillers has received an full ride rodeo scholarship (no pun intended) to Colby Community College. This scholarship is valued at $27,456. She has also received the Tri-State High School Region I Aaron Cuter Memorial Scholarship for $1000, the Tri-State National Scholarship for $1000, the Amarillo Coors Cowboy Club Scholarship, and the Sid Richardson Scholarship for $500.

Emily Thompson will be the recipient of a UIL TLIF scholarship. Emily has also received financial assistance from the US Marines for her commitment of service. While on active duty she will receive $4,500 per year for tuition assistance. A five-year commitment will earn her the Post 911 GI Bill for three years with a value of up to $89,000. She will receive a basic allotment for housing for up to $43,000 and because she resides in Texas, she will receive the Hazelwood Act that will pay for up to 150 hours to any school in Texas with the value of $100,000. She will also receive a $1,000 book stipend. The total package of available money that Emilie is receiving from the US Marines is $255,700.

Amelia Weatherton has received a $26,000 ACU Merit Scholarship.

Hedley individual recognitions were:

Lane Cabler received a $1,000 scholarship to attend Clarendon College from Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700.

Clay King has also received a $1,000 scholarship from Clarendon Lodge #700.

Adam Bernal has received the $100 scholarship from the Hedley Lioness Club.

Heath McCleskey received a $32,000 scholarship from Oklahoma State University.

Kelsey Wells has been awarded a $300 scholarship from the Donley County Retired School Personnel Association. She has also received the Lila Kate Monroe Scholarship for $300, the Cross Road Peanut Company $500 scholarship, the Herring Bank Scholarship for $500, and the Hedley Lions Club Sweetheart scholarship for $500.

As the Valedictorian of Hedley High School Class of 2016 Kelsey has received the Highest Ranking Graduate award from the State of Texas. This award will exempt Kelsey from tuition fees for her first year of college.

Additional honors given to Clarendon graduates included Caleb Cobb, the Fighting Heart Award; Alysse Simpson, the Knorpp Cup; and Sterling King, the Best Girl Athlete.

Special recognitions at Hedley included Shaylee Chapman, Zachary Chapman, Johnathon Taylor, and Kelsey Wells, who all wore red honor cords to signify they have donated at least two units of blood while in high school.