The MaryEllen Locher Foundation has awarded 41 college scholarships for the upcoming academic year to Chattanooga and North Georgia students representing 24 high schools in the region.
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 of breast cancer in 2005 after her third bout with cancer.
Over the past 15 years, the foundation has awarded over 460 scholarships totaling $751,000.
“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.’’
2017 winners are:
Jenna Barber, Hixson High school graduate, attending Berea College
Lizzie Barber, Hixson High School graduate, attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Emma Beach, Central High School graduate, attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Savannah Bennett, Ooltewah High graduate, attending UTC
Bayley Bishop, Bradley County Virtual School graduate, attending Lee University
Jordan Cabrera, Lookout Valley High School graduate, attending UTC
Anna Cate, Signal Mountain High School graduate, attending UTK
Kevin Cecil, Signal Mountain High School graduate, attending Belmont University
Ashlyn Clements, Christian Heritage School graduate, attending Georgia Southern University
Catherine Cobb, Girls Preparatory School graduate, attending UTK, Hoops for Hope Scholarship winner
Allie Cody, Walker Valley High School graduate, attending Lee University
Bailey Crowder, Sale Creek High School graduate, attending Lincoln Memorial University
Henley Edge, McCallie School graduate, attending the University of Alabama--Huntsville
Ashton Evans, Boyd-Buchanan School graduate, attending UTK
Mercedes Forgey, Bradley Central High School graduate, attending East Tennessee State University, Volley for the Cure Scholarship winner
Sarah Kate Gartman, home school graduate, attending Milligan College
Andre Hicks, Tyner Academy graduate, attending Austin Peay State University
Hannah Holbrook, Soddy-Daisy High School graduate, attending UTC
Lauren Hood, GPS graduate, attending UTK
Zeb Idol, attending UTK
Brett Jackson, attending UTC
Susanna Jackson, Boyd-Buchanan School graduate, attending Chattanooga State Community College
Jonas Kelly, Gilmer High School graduate, attending Kennesaw State University, Rock City Scholarship
Bryce Killingsworth, Silverdale Baptist Academy graduate, attending UTC
Sidney Killingsworth, Ooltewah High School graduate, attending Lincoln Memorial University
Annelise King, Walker Valley High graduate, attending ETSU
John Manning, attending Lee University
Luke McDonald, Walker Valley High graduate, attending Belmont University
Trevor McDonald, McMinn County High School graduate, attending Maryville College
Damon Miller, attending UTC
Hanna Million, Silverdale Baptist Academy graduate, attending Chattanooga State
Sara Million, Silverdale Baptist Academy graduate, attending Chattanooga State
Westin Ray, Rhea County High School graduate, attending Volunteer State Community College
Jason Roth, Signal Mountain High School graduate, attending Virginia Tech
Lindsay Rufolo, GPS graduate, attending Davidson College
Olivia Samples, Chattanooga Christian School graduate, attending Samford University
Katie Shields, Silverdale Baptist Academy graduate, attending UTC
Grace Signiski, Notre Dame High School graduate, attending Georgia State University
Emily Simmons, Marion County High School graduate, attending Chattanooga State, Concert for a Cause Scholarship
Hallie Sneed, Soddy-Daisy High School graduate, attending Lee University
Marly Toledano, Baylor School graduate, attending Brown University
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.
The foundation also sponsors “Mel’s Club,’’ a breast health awareness and education program for teen girls. Topics covered include myths and misconceptions about breast cancer, prevention, detection, and how to do a breast self-exam. The program also includes remarks from a breast cancer survivor. Presentations are available for schools, churches, civic organizations and clubs.
For more information about the MaryEllen Locher Foundation or to schedule a “Mel’s Club’’ presentation, contact Cindy Pare, administrator, at (423) 490-4555 orcindy@melfoundation.org. Visit the website at www.melfoundation.org or find more information on the foundation’s Facebook page.