George Scott always had a vision that students from Italy High School that desired to attend college would be able to do so. He also realized that in reality, some students could not afford to do so. Had he not passed away in 1991, he could see today that his dream has become a reality due to the hard work of several people and the generosity of many others.

Diana Scott Herrin is very proud of her father’s legacy and donates to the scholarship fund every year. “I know the scholarships we give are very important. My dad said he never met anyone with too much education,” she added.

Each year the George Scott Memorial Scholarship committee sponsors a barbecue meal fundraiser before the homecoming game to raise money for the scholarship program. This year the dinner was catered by Bubba’s Barbecue in Ennis.

“George knew how important education is to our young people,” said Wanda Scott. “He did whatever he could to help graduating seniors attend college including co-signing notes at the bank for their education. When he passed away in 1991, I discovered at least three active bank notes he had co-signed for local students.”

Since its inception in 1992, forty-eight students have received scholarships to help them attend college. Many of them say that without the George Scott Scholarship, they would not have been able to continue their education after high school. As long as the requirements are met, the students will receive money each year for four years.

When asked why they help with the dinner every year, Weldon and Frances Holley said it is because they want the scholarship to continue. “We also do it to honor George,” Frances said. “We became friends when the Scotts moved here.”

The students that have received the George Scott Scholarships have furthered their education in many areas. There are doctors, attorneys, executives, teachers, engineers, physical therapist and nurses to name a few.

Due to today’s economy, donations have gone down. Donations are accepted throughout the year for the scholarship program also. Many people send memorial gifts when someone in the community passes away. To donate into the scholarship fund, please contact Cheryl Owen, P.O. Box 911, Italy, TX 76651.

Each year, several students return to help with the fundraiser. The following are comments from the students that were in attendance this year:

Jenna Bankhead — “I am a Special Education major at Baylor University in Waco. Attending Baylor is a family tradition and the George Scott Scholarship helped me continue that tradition. I worked this summer at a camp for disabled children and realized working with these kids was my passion. I hope to pursue a career in Special Education for disabled children.”

Barbara Barnhart — “I am currently attending Tarlton State University. I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in Communications. I am very proud I am an honor student in college. I would like to practice adolescent psychology upon graduation. Receiving the George Scott Scholarship opened so many doors for me. It allowed me to go to college.”

Danielle Cotter — “I am a Freshman at Tarlton State University majoring in Journalism. I hope to become an editor of a major publication one day. The scholarship enabled me to purchase my books and afford to attend a major university.”

Kalin Davis — “I am attending Stephen F. Austin, with a major in English. I have just been accepted into Sigma Tau Delta, an English Honor Society. Receiving the George Scott Scholarship was an honor that allowed me to enroll in an accredited four year school with a great English Department. It is helping me realize my dream of becoming a High School English Teacher.”

Jamie Duke — " I attend Texas State University with a Major in Education -Math and Science. I want to teach and coach volleyball and basketball after graduation. The money from the scholarship came in very handy for books and expenses."

Cameron Owens — “I am attending Baylor University majoring in Biology and Pre Med. I hope to specialize in Cardiology, Neurology or Emergency Medicine. College has shown me that all the work I did in high school was worth it. Because of the scholarship, I was able to purchase my text books. I am very thankful for the scholarship.”

Chelsea Spraberry — “I am majoring in Psychology at the University of Texas at Dallas. My goal is to be a criminal profiler after graduation. Receiving the scholarship helped me to pay for books and a laptop for school. I appreciate the scholarship so much.”

Italy ISD George E. Scott Memorial Scholarship Recipients

1993
Celeste’ Kennedy
Adam Corley
Rhonda Finch

1994
Robbie Freeman
Cortney Owen
Scott Roberts

1995
Teresa Wilhite
Dana Batte

1996
Amber Gearner
Jason Harris
Casey Harris

1997
Jason Ward
Christie Owen
Chris Boyd

1998
Debra Wainscott
Casey Gearner
Rebecca Gage

1999
Michelle Clark
Angela Walker

2000
Adam Alvarez
Amber Bradley
Brooke Boyd
Keland Lewis

2001
Ashley Clark
Jarod Durham
Katie Chamness

2002
Jordon Droll
Jennifer Barthel
Natalie Jackson

2003
Mark Wainscott
Holly Alvarez
JoAnn Jones

2004
Cassie Madewell
Sarah Morgan
Nichole Short

2005
Krystal Evans
Niki Howard
Patrick Roberts

2006
Jamie Duke
Jenna Bankhead
Jessica Simon
Brian Weaver

2007
Kalin Davis
Megann Lewis
Cameron Owens

2008
Barbara Barnhart
Danielle Cotter
Chelsea Spraberry

Comments

by Keith Roberts on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 8:53 p.m.

Patrick Roberts was unable to attend the fund raising dinner, but is very grateful for the support he has received since his graduation in 2005 from the George Scott Memorial Scholarship. He is in his first semester at the Texas Tech School of Pharmacy in Abilene, where the new campus opened in 2007. He will graduate in 2012 with a Pharm.D. degree. He completed his pre-pharmacy associate of arts degree at Navarro College in Corsicana, and the George Scott Memorial Scholarship has been invaluable to him in realizing his goals. He is proud to be an alumnus of Italy High School.