September 2008

GreyStone Power Foundation, Inc.

awards five $3,000 scholarships

GreyStone Power has announced the winners of the GreyStone Power Foundation Scholarship. Congratulations to GreyStone members and Douglas County residents Brandon Berry, Kelsey Johns, Andrew Sparks and Janet West, and Paulding County resident Margaret Hurst. These outstanding students earned $3,000 toward funding their education. The scholarship may be used at any two- or four-year accredited college or university.

All finalists in the 2008 competition were reviewed and judged by members of the GreyStone Power Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors, which disburses Operation Round Up funds contributed by GreyStone Power members. Winners chosen were judged to have the strongest combination of academic achievement, community involvement and financial need.

The scholarships will help provide assistance to a computer science major, a community advocate, a mathematician interested in robotics, an aspiring occupational therapist, and an educator focusing on earning her teaching certification. Meet the five exceptional winners of the 2008 GreyStone Power Foundation scholarship:  

Brandon Berry, a Chapel Hill High School graduate, has a history of academic excellence. From kindergarten through high school, Brandon maintained honor roll status. In high school, he was nominated for the National Merit Award and was named to the Who’s Who Among American High School Students. In addition to his academic accomplishments, Brandon earned three varsity letters in football and was named to the Academic All-State Team. He is also a role model in his community and has participated in a volunteer reading program with his football team. Brandon attends Georgia State University and plans to enter the field of computer science/information systems.

Kelsey Johns is dedicated to achieving her academic goals and serving her community. In addition to maintaining good grades, she participated in several extracurricular activities including Beta Club, National Honor Society and varsity tennis. Kelsey also volunteers her Saturdays working in the food pantry at Sweetwater Valley Community Action Mission Program (C.A.M.P.). This community advocate is a freshman at Berry College. She plans to continue to give back to her community while in college and to obtain an on-campus job to help support her education. Kelsey is seeking a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and plans to minor in business management or psychology. She hopes to obtain a career involving children and is currently focused on becoming a kindergarten teacher.

Andrew Sparks attends the University of Georgia, where he plans to study mathematics. His interest in numbers began as a child and he is still eager to learn more about mathematics. Andrew is interested in the use of applied mathematics in robotics, especially how it affects orthotics technology. In high school, Andrew participated in Beta Club, Art Club, Reading Club and National Honor Society. He has been involved with the Douglas County Youth Core, Douglas County after school program and Douglas County Special Olympics. Andrew is also artistic. His artwork has been displayed at the Douglas County/Douglasville Cultural Arts Center, Douglas County Board of Education and the Douglas County Courthouse. In the spring, he entered the U.S. Congressional High School Art competition where he was awarded second place for his district. His entry will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol.

Janet West is the first member of her family to go to college. She is a freshman at North Georgia College and State University and plans to major in physical education with an emphasis in exercise science and minor in sports therapy. After obtaining her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend the Medical College of Georgia to receive her master’s in occupational therapy and become an occupational therapist. Janet has volunteered at her church’s nursery, leading vacation Bible school groups and participating in a mentor program. During high school, she was a member of Student Government, Beta Club, National Honor Society, and CSI (Caring, Sharing, Inspiring). Janet was also involved with the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce Junior Ambassador Program.

Margaret Hurst is pursuing her lifelong dream of being an educator. This Mercer University junior has been an assistant teacher in her church’s kindergarten to second-grade Sunday school class as well as a youth director. Margaret has participated in the Paulding County Relay For Life and is a member of Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE). Her numerous honors and recognitions reflect her dedication to academic achievement. Margaret is an early childhood education major and will soon go though extensive training and observation required to receive her teaching certification.