The MaryEllen Locher Foundation has awarded 36 college scholarships for the upcoming academic year to Chattanooga and North Georgia students representing 21 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 14 years, the foundation has awarded over 380 scholarships totaling $658,000.
“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.’’
The 2015 winners are:
Savannah Bennett, Ooltewah High graduate, attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: Wanda Weller Scholarship
Bayley Bishop, Bradley County Virtual School graduate, attending Lee University: Volley for the Cure Scholarship
Emily Bishop, Bradley Central High graduate, attending Lee University: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Keegan Chitwood, Boyd-Buchanan School graduate, attending UTC: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Copeland Cobb, Girls Preparatory School graduate, attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Allie Cody, Walker Valley High graduate, attending Lee University: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Jackson Cooper, Baylor School graduate, attending the University of the South: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Jacob Davis, McCallie School graduate, attending Wittenburg University: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
John Peter Davis, McCallie School graduate, attending UTK: MaryEllen Locher Foundation 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: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Ashton Evans, Boyd-Buchanan School graduate, attending UTK: MaryEllen Locher Foundation 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
Kelli Gibson, Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts graduate, attending Pellissippi State Community College: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Collin Green, Signal Mountain High graduate, attending Appalachian State University: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Emily Hall, Soddy-Daisy High graduate, attending UTC: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Hannah Holbrook, Soddy-Daisy High graduate, attending UTC: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Lauren Hood, GPS graduate, attending UTK: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Jordan Johnson, Hixson High graduate, attending Chattanooga State Community College: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Jonas Kelly, Gilmer High graduate, attending Kennesaw State University: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Nathan Kelly, Gilmer High graduate, University of North Georgia: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Annelise King, Walker Valley High graduate, attending East Tennessee State University: Pink Ribbon Bowl Scholarship
Katie McDowell, Notre Dame High graduate, attending UTC: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Hanna Million, Silverdale Baptist Academy graduate, attending Chattanooga State: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Sara Million, Silverdale Baptist Academy graduate, attending Chattanooga State: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Sarah Ashley Moore, Baylor School graduate, attending Berry College: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Sarah Beth Moore, East Hamilton High graduate, attending Asbury University: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Grayson Mullin, Notre Dame High graduate, attending UTK: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Elijah Privett, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High graduate, attending Chattanooga State: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Nick Russell, Chattanooga Christian School graduate, attending Tennessee Tech University: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Haley Shields, Silverdale Baptist Academy graduate, attending UTC: MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarship
Katie Shields, Silverdale Baptist Academy graduate, attending UTC: MaryEllen Locher Foundation 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
Holli Taylor, Tyner High graduate, attending Texas Southern University: MaryEllen Locher Foundation 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.
In 2014, the organization launched “Mel’s Club,’’ a breast health awareness and education program for teen girls. 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 490-4555 or cindy@melfoundation.org. Visit the website at www.melfoundation.org or find more information on the foundation’s Facebook page.