2015 Rymer Scholarship Finalists Announced

  • Friday, April 24, 2015

Lee University has announced the 2015 Rymer Scholarship finalists. The scholarships, which are provided through the Rymer Foundation, honor local student achievement and encourage talented high school students to remain in the Cleveland area. 

The nine students selected as Rymer finalists for 2015 are Megan Beavers, Abigail Brown, Joshalyn Brown, Marisa Estrada, Rachael Garrett, Makayla Jenkins, Sarah Locke, Savannah Stone and Tyler Webb. 

Three finalists will be designated as Rymer Gold Scholars, three as Rymer Silver Scholars, and three as Rymer Bronze Scholars. Principals from Bradley Central, Cleveland, and Walker Valley high schools have selected faculty representatives to serve alongside Lee University representatives, chosen by Lee President Dr. Paul Conn, on a selection committee. The committee conducts interviews with each finalist and will announce the award recipients at the annual Rymer Scholarship banquet on Wednesday. 

Winners are chosen based on outstanding high school achievement and demonstrated potential for a successful college career. The scholars are assessed based on their leadership in extracurricular, athletic, and church-based activities, high-school rank, grade point average, college entrance exam scores and a personal interview. 

Ms. Beavers, a senior at Bradley Central High School, is the daughter of Angela and Steve Beavers, Jr. She is currently ranked 37 out of 372 with a 3.9 GPA. She is the captain of the varsity basketball cheerleading squad, and she was named an All-American Cheerleader at a Universal Cheerleader’s Association camp. She has participated in Distributive Education Clubs of America, student council, and National Honor Society. She was also voted Homecoming Queen. In addition to school activities, she has participated in countless church-related activities such as Vacation Bible School and church youth programs, and has volunteered with Christmas Memories and other community outreach programs. 

A senior at Cleveland High School, Abigail Brown is the daughter of Jerry and Melissa Brown. She is currently ranked first in her class of 339 with a 4.0 GPA. She has been a member of the basketball cheerleading squad, student government, Beta Club, NHS, Interact Service Club, Model UN, and the Cleveland City/Bradley County Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program.  Ms. Brown is a Tennessee Scholar and a Raider Scholar, and she has volunteered with Christmas Memories, Special Olympics, and Life Bridges Christmas, as well as a variety of other community programs and events. She attends First Baptist Church of Cleveland and Mt. Olive Ministries, where she participates in various youth group activities. 

Cleveland High School senior Joshalyn Brown is the daughter of Joe and Jacqueline Brown. She has a 4.0 GPA and is ranked first in her class of 339. She has been a member of the varsity soccer team, Healthcare Occupations Students of America, NHS, Winterguard, Silhouettes Choir, and CHS Choir. She was a Dream Keeper Award recipient, Cleveland High School Honor recipient, and Raider Scholar. She attends North Cleveland Church of God, where she has been a participant in team and individual Bible quizzing for Teen Talent. She is also a volunteer in the children’s ministry, church nursery, and a local shelter. 

Ms. Estrada, the daughter of Noé and Tammy Estrada, is a senior at Bradley Central High School. She is ranked 48 out of 372 and has a 3.91 GPA. She has been a part of the dance team, NHS, Beta Club, HOSA, varsity basketball and football cheerleading, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where she is a worship and small group leader. She has volunteered with Christmas Memories, Signature Healthcare, and the Salvation Army Kitchen. She is a youth worship leader at Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy and a volunteer for the church nursery and food distribution program.

Ms. Garrett, daughter of Jeffrey and Linda Garrett, is a senior at Bradley Central High School. She is currently ranked seventh of 372 with a 4.0 GPA. She is a member of the tennis team, the head of Bake Shop, and a participant in Skills USA. She has also participated in the ProStart team and the volleyball team. She placed third in the state ProStart competition and received “Most Digs” in volleyball. During the summer, Garrett coaches tennis to young children. In addition, she has volunteered with Vacation Bible School and the Night of Lights 5K. 

Ms. Jenkins is ranked seventh in her senior class of 374 at Walker Valley High School, where she has maintained a 4.0 GPA. She is the daughter of Danny and Kathy Jenkins. She has participated in countless activities with DECA and is a member of NHS, Beta Club, National English Honor Society, World Language Club, German American Partnership Program, and Drama Club. Jenkins is a member of Circle of Champions and has been named a Tennessee Scholar. She has volunteered with Christmas Memories and a refugee community in Atlanta, Georgia. At Westwood Baptist Church, she is a member of the dance team, teaches children’s church, participates in the Christmas and Easter programs, and volunteers with Vacation Bible School and youth mission trips. 

Daughter of Randall and Melissa Locke and senior at Walker Valley High School, Ms. Locke is ranked 54 out of 374 with a 4.0 GPA. She has been a Tennessee Scholar as well as a member of the Walker Valley High School Ladies Choir, Circle of Champions, and Dance Team, where she served as captain. She has also been a member of the student government association, NEHS, Beta Club, and Chamber of Commerce Leadership Council. She has volunteered with Christmas Memories, Morning Point Assisted Living Center, Ronald McDonald House, New Hope Pregnancy Center, the Alzheimer’s Walk, and Habitat for Humanity, among others. Additionally, Ms. Locke formed the City of Charleston Neighborhood Watch Program. 

Ms. Stone, a senior at Walker Valley High School, is the daughter of Vince and Tena Stone. She is ranked eighth of 374 with a 4.0 GPA. She has been a Tennessee Scholar and a member of Circle of Champions as well as a member of the marching band, concert band, NHS, NEHS, and student government. She was the winner of Cleveland’s Distinguished Young Women’s Scholarship Program in 2011. Ms. Stone was a leading member in the founding of The Manna Project, a food distribution project. She is a member of the youth drama team and orchestra at Westmore Church of God, and she has attended mission trips to Haiti with her church and to Mexico with a nonprofit organization called OneHope. 

Mr. Webb, a senior at Walker Valley High School, is the son of Brian and Jessica Webb. He is ranked ninth of 374 in his senior class and has a 3.96 GPA. He has been a member of the student superintendent advisory board, NEHS, NHS, Circle of Champions, and Tennessee Scholars. He also participated in All-State and All-East choirs as well as four spring musicals. At Mt. Olive Church of God, Webb has been involved with the LH20 Student Ministries Drama Team and Student Council, and participated with synchronized movement teams in the Teen Talent competition. 

 

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