Cleveland and Bradley County often loses its students to other colleges and universities, but Lee University and the Rymer Foundation are working together to keep Cleveland and Bradley County's young people in the area by offering the Rymer Scholarship. Officials with Lee University and the Rymer Foundation recently announced that eight local students were named as finalists for the Rymer Scholarships.
The Rymer Selection Committee conducted individual interviews with the eight finalists. There were 28 applicants for selection for the Rymer Scholarship Program. Lee University and the Rymer Foundation will award five scholarships during the 14th annual Rymer Scholarship banquet on Thursday, April 25.
The eight finalists have been chosen from Cleveland High, Bradley Central High and Walker Valley High Schools. They are James Brentton Case, William David Hicks, Lauren Jan Hilliard, Hermilo Jasso III, Bryson Miles Kirksey, Keveena Marie Martin, Kyle David Seiler, and Sara Elisabeth Wilson.
Hoyle Rymer and his father, the late Robert Rymer, established the Rymer Foundation, which has made generous gifts to several educational institutions, and has created the Rymer Scholarship at Lee University. The Rymer family honors exceptional achievement while encouraging the best students to remain in Cleveland by offering them this scholarship.
Five Rymer Scholars are chosen each year. Two are designated as Rymer Gold Scholars and three are designated as Rymer Silver Scholars. Representatives from Lee University, Cleveland High, Bradley Central High and Walker Valley High schools will serve on the selection committee. Committee members are selected by Lee University President, Dr. Paul Conn, and each high school principal.
Rymer Scholars are selected based on outstanding high school achievement and demonstrated potential for a successful college career. Assessment is based on the following: leadership in extracurricular, athletic, church-related and community activities; personal interview; high school grade point average and class rank; and college board exam scores.
James Brentton Case is a senior at Cleveland High School and is the son of James Franklin and JoAnn Case. Currently ranked first out of 219, he has a GPA of 4.0. He attends Mount Olive Church of God where he is involved in the youth choir and the praise and worship team. He is on the basketball team (1998-2002) and a member of Renaissance Show Choir, in which he also serves as a dance captain. He is a member of the Key Club, having served as treasurer and president, and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He received the Academic Award and is a member of the National Honor Society. He volunteers at area elementary schools, reading to the children and teaching them about drug awareness. He also takes part in shopping for children at K-Mart for Christmas.
William David Hicks is a senior at Cleveland High School and is the son of Scott and Robin Hicks. Currently ranked 10th out of 219, he has a GPA of 3.92 and plans to major in Business Administration. He attends First Baptist Church where he is a member of the youth chapel choir, praise band, and Promise Audition Ensemble. He has also participated in several mission trips. He is an Honor Student and a Raider Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, and the recipient of the Integrated Math II Award. He was named to the Who's Who Among American High School Students. He served as a Class Representative for three years with the Student Government Association. He is also a member of Renaissance Show Choir, Ebony and Ivory Mixed Choir, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is a member of the golf team and was given the Golf Team Academic Award.
Lauren Jan Hilliard is a senior at Bradley Central High School and is the daughter of Garland and Jan Hilliard. Currently ranked second out of 447, she has a GPA of 4.0 and plans to pursue a degree in biochemistry (pre-dental). She is a member of Westmore Church of God where she is a member of the youth group and the F.O.C.U.S. group. She has been involved with the volleyball team, having served as the captain during her senior year. She is the recipient of the Renaissance Award, National Science Merit Award, United States Student Council Award, and American Character and Citizenship Award. She also served on the Mayor's Youth Council on Drug Awareness and was a Wendy's High School Heisman nominee. She is an All-American Scholar and was a nominee for both the Principal's Award and the High School Christian Athlete All-American Award. She has been involved with the Christmas Food Basket Project and has tutored at area elementary schools. She has also participated in HOSA's Christmas Children's Project and helped organized the Senior Citizen Prom.
Hermilo Jasso III is a senior at Bradley Central High School and is the son of Hermilo Jasso Jr. and the late Lorraine Jasso. Currently ranked third out of 447, he has a GPA of 4.0 and plans to pursue a degree in Business and Political Science. He is a member of the Old Tasso Spanish Church of God where he is an active member of the youth group, assistant youth Sunday School director, translator and interpreter for services, and a Youth Executive Board member. He is a member of the Student Council having served as Student Body President during his senior year, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, DECA, Christian Crusaders, Teen Advocates, Beta Club, Key Club, and the Future Business Leaders of America. He is a member of the National Honor Society and received the Principal's Award, United States Student Council Award, Pathfinder Award, Wendy's High School Heisman Award (state finalist), and was named Mr. Bradley at BCHS. An All-American Scholar and member of the soccer team, he was named to the Who's Who Among American High School Students. He was a Laws of Life essay finalist, State DECA Civic Consciousness Project winner, and national finalist for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. He was a coordinator for the Operation Christmas Child Project at BCHS and a peer tutor at Michigan Ave. Elementary. He was also a D.A.R.E. Role Model and participated in numerous school service activities.
Bryson Miles Kirksey is a senior at Walker Valley High School and is the son of William and Donna Kirksey. Currently ranked first out of 116, he has a GPA of 4.0 and plans to pursue a degree in accounting. He is a member of First Baptist Church where he has participated in several mission trips, served as a Backyard Bible Club Leader, and performed with Promise Youth Ensemble. He is a member of the cross country, track, soccer and basketball teams, having received numerous awards for all four sports. He received the Coach's Leadership Award, the MVP Underclassman Award, and the Academic Award in cross-country. He was also named to the All-Star Team by the Chattanooga Times Free Press. In track, he received the Leadership Award and the Academic Award. In basketball, he received the Hustle Award and the Academic Award. He also participated in the AAU Junior Olympics at the national level. He is a member of the Student Government Association, the Mayor's Youth Council on Drug Awareness, Interact, Principal's Advisory Committee, and Future Business Leaders of America. He is an All American Scholar, having received the English Award, Latin I and II Awards, Algebra II Award and Bible History Award. He was the North Lee Elementary basketball coach and a lifeguard. He volunteered with the William Hall Rogers Basket Fund and was the chairman for the Adopt-A Spot WVHS Landscaping Day.
Keveena Marie Martin is a senior at Bradley Central High School and is the daughter of Kevin and Suzy Martin. Currently ranked sixth out of 447, she has a GPA of 4.0 and plans to pursue a degree in elementary education. She is a member of South Cleveland Church of God where she is a member of the youth group, the youth choir and the Praise and Worship Band and also volunteers with the Royal Family Kids Camp. She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Christian Crusaders and the Student Council. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, Teen Advocates, and the Future Business Leaders of America. She volunteers as a peer tutor at Michigan Ave. Elementary, and participates in the Random Acts of Kindness project. She also helps put together food baskets for needy families and homeless shelter projects.
Kyle David Seiler is a senior at Cleveland High School and is the son of Edward and Kathy Seiler. Currently ranked sixth out of 219, he has a GPA of 3.96 and plans to pursue a degree in health science with an emphasis in fitness and wellness. He is a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist where he an active member of the youth group. He is a member of the Student Government Association, Renaissance Show Choir, the National Honor Society, Interact, and the Anchor Club. He is a Raider Scholar. He was also a member of the varsity wrestling and the cross-country teams. He works part-time as a sales associate at Hollywood Video and is an active member and participant in Cleveland YMCA activities. He also participated in the 5K run to benefit the Firemen's Association.
Sara Elisabeth Wilson is a senior at Cleveland High School and is the daughter of William and Lisa Wilson. Currently ranked first out of 219, she has a GPA of 4.0 and plans to pursue a degree in environmental science. She is a member of Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy where she is a member of the Youth Praise Team, and serves as an elementary Sunday School teacher, a Youth Group Discipleship Leader, and a Youth Group Intercessory Prayer Leader. She has also participated in several mission trips. She is a Raider Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. She is also a member of the Anchor Club, Beta Club, Interact Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is a charter member of the CHS swim team, a Model United Nations participant and a member of both the Ebony and Ivory Performance Choir and Ambiance Performance Choir. She is a Cherokee National Forest Service School-to Community volunteer.