Kiwanis award scholarships

Three $2000 scholarships were awarded recently by Rocky Mount Kiwanis Club to high school seniors graduating from the Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools, all with exceptional grades and high standardized test scores and numerous community activities.

Brittney Mitchell and Olivia Lamm from Southern Nash High School and Sarah Koonce from Rocky Mount High School were honored at a Benvenue Country Club luncheon on May 28, each speaking and responding to questions from the audience.

May program chair Kiwanian Marie Inscore also gave special recognition to the counselors and advisors in attendance, and to parents Tammi Mitchell, Larry and Peggy Lamm, and J. H. and Janice Koonce. She also chairs the club’s Scholarship Committee.

Miss Mitchell, with a 1960 SAT score and a 4.578 GPA, will be attending Meredith College with intentions of completing medical school and joining Doctor’s Without Borders.

In addition to jazz band and marching band, varsity swimming, and varsity track, she has served as a volunteer to American Red Cross and Braswell Memorial Library and has participated in the Miss Teen of N. C. program and N. C. Governor’s School.

Miss Lamm, with a 1540 SAT score and a 3.98 GPA, will be attending East Carolina University for a sports medicine degree with intentions of completing a doctorate in physical therapy.

In addition to outstanding seasons in volleyball and softball, her plentiful volunteer experiences included contributions of time at Nash General Hospital and Bailey Baptist Church.

Miss Koonce, with a 1340 SAT score and a 4.938 GPA, will be attending The University of North Carolina at Asheville to pursue a bachelor of fine arts degree, with intentions of subsequently completing a master’s degree in business administration.

An accomplished ballet dancer and artist who is also credentialed by the RMHS International Baccalaureate Diploma program, her volunteer focus includes churches, libraries, festivals, parks and recreation events, and retirement centers.

Kiwanis President Allen Hinnant announced, “Thanks to the local community and to fellow Kiwanians we raised enough money with our pancake breakfast in February and our recent annual banquet to award a total of $9000 this year.”

Hinnant was referring to the three $2000 scholarships being awarded to Brittney Mitchell, Olivia Lamm and Sarah Koonce, plus three grants of $1000 each that will awarded by Edgecombe Community College, Nash Community College, and N. C. Wesleyan College.

The three young women will be invited back to the Kiwanis Club in December to provide a luncheon program describing their experiences and learning opportunities during their first semester as students in postsecondary studies.