Lee University announced the 2016 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 2016 are Stephanie Bowman, Malakai Cabrera, Lily Freeman, Chase Henderson, Hannah Holley, Chastin Kim, Caitlin Lay, Breanna Long, and Gustavo Wilhelm.
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 April 29.
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.
Stephanie Bowman, a senior at Walker Valley High School (WVHS), is the daughter of Steve and Debra Bowman. She is class valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA, and a Tennessee Scholar. Throughout high school, she has been a member of the NHS (National Honor Society), National English Honor Society, Beta Club, Student Government Association, Junior Civitan, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). In addition to playing junior varsity basketball, Bowman also worked with the Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership and attended summer honors at Lee in 2015. In the community, she has served with Operation Christmas Child, Habitat for Humanity, Beacon Baptist Church’s Vacation Bible School and Youth Programs, and on a mission trip to New York.
Malakai Cabrera, a senior at Bradley Central High School (BCHS), is the son of Mitch and Cristi Cabrera. With a 4.0 GPA, he has been involved in NHS, DECA association of marketing students, Earth Club, and Christian Crusaders. He has served as the command sergeant major for schools with the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), played on the Bradley County recreational rugby team, volunteered at Prospect Elementary and at free medical clinics with JROTC, and led the city Christmas parade. With Clingan Ridge Baptist, he has been on mission trips to Romania and New York City, helped organize fundraisers, and participated in Ocoee Outreach.
BCHS senior Lily Freeman is the daughter of David and Corinne Freeman. She has a 4.0 GPA and has served with Student Council as class treasurer and president; Interact Service Club as service chair, president, and vice president; Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership; Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders Today; Boys and Girls Club; and Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, she has been a member of the youth band at New Covenant Church of God, competed in Teen Talent, participated in ministry drama team performances, and helped with fundraising for nonprofit events. She has been a part of the Vocal Motion competitive show choir, NHS, Gold Honor Roll, and the Cambridge International Honors Program.
Chase Henderson is the son of Tim and Renee Henderson and is a senior at Cleveland High School (CHS). He has earned a 3.828 GPA and is a member of NHS, a Raider Scholar, a Tennessee Scholar, and in HOSA. He has been a SCOPE (Student Congress on Policies in Education) delegate and a member of the Chamber of Commerce Student Leadership. Additionally, he played junior varsity and varsity baseball and worked as the Cleveland High School broadcasting announcer. In the community, he has served with Life Bridges, Junior Achievement, the First Baptist youth group, the Cystic Fibrosis walk, Hopewell School Fair, and Camp Cherokee.
Hannah Holley, a senior at BCHS, is the daughter of Jeff and Karen Holley. She has a 4.0 GPA and has been a member of the Invisible Children Club, NHS, and a participant in the Cambridge International Honors Program where she received the Outstanding Learner Award for 2015 exams. In her community, she has served as a bible study leader, with NHS service projects, and on the North Cleveland Church of God Teen Talent Bible Quizzing Team.
Chastin Kim is the son of Kile and Ramona Kim and is a senior at CHS. He has a 4.0 GPA, is on the honor roll, and will be an honors speaker at the Cleveland High School graduation. In addition to receiving numerous class awards throughout his time in high school and a senior superlative for “Most Involved,” he will be a graduate of distinction. He was on the track and cross country teams and has been involved with Beta Club, HOSA, Interact Club, Student Government, Anchor Club, Environmental Awareness Association, Key Club, NHS, and Model United Nations. He has also served as a youth docent at the Tennessee Aquarium.
Caitlin Lay, the daughter of Charlie and Lisa Lay, is a WVHS senior with a 4.0 GPA. She was named this year’s Homecoming Queen and was on the basketball team all four years of high school. She has been involved with Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership, Anchor Club, Circle of Champions, Tennessee Scholars, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), FBLA, Science Club, Diamond Darlings, Chosen All Girls Bible Study, NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, and Mustang Mentors. In the community, she has served with Read 20, Camp Cherokee, Salvation Army, Christmas Memories, Pink Ribbon Bowl, Santa’s Elves, Brookdale Assisted Living, Mustang Mentors, and the nursery at First Baptist Church. At First Baptist, she has been on the student leadership team and involved with F1st Students, Cor33, and Disciple Now.
Breanna Long, a senior at WVHS, is the daughter of David and Brenda Long and has a 4.0 GPA. She has been involved with DECA, FBLA, Anchor Club, NHS, and Beta Club. Voted “Most Courteous” in her class, she has also served a total of 278 service hours throughout high school with 13 different organizations including her church, Philippi Baptist, where she is a Sunday school teacher and youth choir member. Through her involvement with DECA and FBLA, she has earned top prizes at the district, state, and international levels of competition as well as awards for business achievement and community service.
CHS senior Gustavo Wilhelm is the son of Ricardo and Lissette Wilhelm and has a 3.9 GPA. He has been a Raider Scholar, played on the varsity soccer team, and is in the North Cleveland Church of God orchestra. He has been involved with Anchor Club, the Environmental Awareness Association, the Science National Honors Society, and volunteered with community outreach through the Halloween block party and Creating Christmas Memories.