2023-24 MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Fund Recipients Announced

  • Tuesday, June 6, 2023

The MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Fund at CHI Memorial Foundation has awarded 29 college scholarships totaling $86,000 to Chattanooga area students for the 2023-24 academic year.

The fund is a college scholarship program for children who have either lost a parent to breast cancer, have a parent who is a breast cancer survivor, or have a parent who is currently in treatment.  The organization was founded as an independent nonprofit in 2002 by MaryEllen Locher, a long-time news anchor and health reporter for WTVC in Chattanooga.  Formerly known as the MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Foundation, it joined with CHI Memorial Foundation in January 2021.

MaryEllen started the foundation during her own battle with breast cancer because she was concerned about her son’s future education.  She did not want other parents to share that concern while they were struggling with this disease.  MaryEllen passed away in 2005 after her third bout with cancer.

Over the past 21 years, the fund has awarded nearly 600 scholarships totaling more than $1 million.  The awards are designed to ease the emotional and financial burdens faced by families dealing with breast cancer.

“We are proud to support these worthy students,’’ said Jennifer Nicely, CHI Memorial Foundation president.  “Our winners have gone through hardships at early ages as they endured breast cancer battles with their families.

We are excited to invest in their futures.’’

Winners for the 2023-24 academic year represent 21 area high schools in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia. Recipients are:

Abigail Allen, Walker Valley High School senior

Lily Andrews, Signal Mountain High School graduate, attending UTK

Marion Andrews, Signal Mountain High School graduate, attending UTK

Connor Beach, Ooltewah High School graduate, attending the University of Mississippi

Lara Bennett, Silverdale Baptist Academy senior, Evelyn's Scholarship

Louise Brock, Girls Preparatory School senior

Saylor Brown, Notre Dame High School graduate, attending the UTK

Sarah Capps, Heritage High School graduate, attending University of West Georgia

Sharayah Daves, homeschool graduate, attending Belmont University, Angels Among Us Scholarship

Kamille Deloach, Boyd-Buchanan senior

Daniel Douglas, Cleveland High School graduate, attending Lee University, Volley for a Cure Scholarship

Kevyn Edinger, Bledsoe County High School senior, Wanda Weller Scholarship

Charles Riley Flynn III, McCallie senior, Rock City Scholarship

Bailey Fowler, Ridgeland High School graduate, attending University of West Georgia, Shields Family Scholarship

Olivia Hamilton, Chattanooga Christian School graduate, attending the University of Georgia, Angels Among Us Scholarship

Brileigh Hicks, Bradley Central High School graduate, attending UTK

Ava Layne, Whitwell High School senior

Iris Luce, Collegiate High School graduate, attending Lee University

Elaine MacDougall, Notre Dame High school senior

Grace McDonald, McMinn County High School graduate, attending Maryville College

Reece Meagher, Cleveland High School senior

Matthew Merritt, McCallie School graduate, attending Yale University 

Jacob Moore, Notre Dame High School senior

Sarah Reed, Ringgold High School graduate, attending University of Kentucky

Cali Sandhoff, Boyd Buchanan senior

Gilbert Strode, STEM School senior

Emily Thomson, Soddy-Daisy High graduate, attending ETSU

Anna Thomson, Soddy-Daisy High graduate, attending UTC, Guardian Angel Scholarship

William Woodall, Ridgeland High School senior, Tom and Kaky Bible Scholarship

Funds for scholarships are raised through special events, individual donations, corporate sponsorships and private grants.  The CHI Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all contributions made to the MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Fund are tax-deductible.

Online donations to the MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Fund can be made at memorial.org/foundation. Checks can be mailed to CHI Memorial Foundation, 2525 de Sales Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404.  Make a notation to direct to the MEL Scholarship Fund on the memo line of check.

Living Well
TN AG's DCA Issues Consumer Alert Ahead Of April 8 Solar Eclipse
  • 3/27/2024

The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office issued the following warning on Wednesday to consumers regarding the upcoming solar eclipse: "While the Volunteer State is not in the path of totality ... more

Hamilton Medical Center Recognized For Excellence With Cardiac Catheterization Lab Accreditation
Hamilton Medical Center Recognized For Excellence With Cardiac Catheterization Lab Accreditation
  • 3/26/2024

The American College of Cardiology has recognized Hamilton Medical Center for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients who come to a cardiac cath lab for care, including ... more

Hamilton Medical Center Receives National, Regional, State And Local Recognition For Medical Excellence
Hamilton Medical Center Receives National, Regional, State And Local Recognition For Medical Excellence
  • 3/26/2024

Hamilton Medical Center has been recognized for medical excellence and patient safety quality by CareChex. HMC was ranked in the top 10 percent in the nation in three categories for 2024. ... more