The MaryEllen Locher Foundation has awarded 39 college scholarships totaling $64,000 to students for the upcoming academic year. The foundation is a college scholarship program for children who have either lost a parent to breast cancer or have a parent who is a breast cancer survivor. The awards are designed to ease the financial and emotional burdens faced by families dealing with the disease.
The organization was founded in 2002 by MaryEllen Locher, a well-known WTVC news anchor and health reporter.
She started the foundation because she was concerned about the future of her own son. Ms. Locher died in 2005 after her third bout with cancer.
Over the past 12 years, the foundation has awarded over 340 scholarships totaling $612,000.
“MaryEllen trusted in God’s plans for her, but as a mother, she was concerned for her son Alex and his future, ‘’ said Jan Moses, a close friend and executive director of the foundation. “She wanted to help ease the burden of cancer for other families. Now, we carry on her vision for assisting families. MaryEllen’s heart is felt in every scholarship we are able to award.’’
2014 winners are:
William Alderman, Dalton High graduate, attending the Georgia Institute of Technology: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Savannah Bennett, Ooltewah High graduate, attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Emily Bishop, Bradley Central High graduate, attending Lee University: Wanda Weller Scholarship
Amanda Boozer, Chattanooga Christian School graduate, attending Kennesaw State University: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Kamry Cardin, Soddy-Daisy High graduate, attending Chattanooga State Community College: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Ryan Claxton, Signal Mountain High graduate, attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville: Hoops for Hope Scholarship
Copeland Cobb, Girls Preparatory School graduate, attending UTK: Hoops for Hope Scholarship
Allie Cody, Walker Valley High graduate, attending Cleveland State Community College: Pink Ribbon Bowl Scholarship
Kellie Day, Soddy-Daisy High graduate, attending Carson-Newman University: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Kayley Denton, Meigs County High graduate, attending Roane State Community College: Pink Ribbon Bowl Scholarship
Johanna Gartman, attending the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Sarah Kate Gartman, home school graduate, attending Milligan College: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Caroline Hamilton, Soddy-Daisy High graduate, attending UTC: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Lauren Hood, GPS graduate, attending UTK: Hoops for Hope Scholarship
Jasmine Johnson, Hixson High graduate, attending Belmont University: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Hannah Kelly, University of North Georgia: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Jonas Kelly, Gilmer High graduate, attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Nathan Kelly, University of North Georgia: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Stephanie Lackey, Central High graduate, attending Chattanooga State: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Katie McDowell, Notre Dame High graduate, attending UTC: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Zach McKelvey, Baylor School graduate, attending the University of Alabama: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Sarah Moore, Baylor School graduate, attending Berry College: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Taylor Mullinax, Gordon Lee High graduate, attending Dalton State College: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Alex Mullin, Notre Dame High graduate, attending the University of South Carolina: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Grayson Mullin, Notre Dame High graduate, attending UTK: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Lauren Nix, Signal Mountain High graduate, attending UTC: Hoops for Hope Scholarship
Libby Peigen, Ooltewah High graduate, attending Lee University: Volley for a Cure scholarship
Nick Russell, Chattanooga Christian School graduate, attending Tennessee Tech University: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Jose Orlando Valenzuela Salazar, attending Lee University: Volley for a Cure Scholarship
Jonathan Shander, Signal Mountain High graduate, attending American University: Hoops for Hope Scholarship
Grace Signiski, Notre Dame High graduate, attending Georgia State University: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Emily Simmons, Marion County High graduate, attending Chattanooga State: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Helen Reynolds Smith, attending UTC: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Emily Stevens, Signal Mountain High graduate, attending UTK: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Ryan Stevens, Signal Mountain High graduate, attending Virginia Polytechnic Institute: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Tayler Sutton, Walker Valley High graduate, attending Lee University: Pink Ribbon Bowl Scholarship
Tyler Thorn, McCallie School graduate, attending Boston College: MaryEllen Locher Foundation scholarship
Chase Todd, Dalton High graduate, attending Jacksonville State University: Rock City Scholarship
Lucy Whitfield, GPS graduate, attending Vanderbilt University, Hoops for Hope Scholarship
Funds for the foundation are raised through special events, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and private grants. The foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all contributions are tax-deductible.