Club helps students with college
Lisa Fern wants to be a dental hygienist, which requires four years of college - two at Augusta State University and two at the Medical College of Georgia.
Between Lisa and her twin sister, April, their mother, Susan, has double the college to pay for. Lisa already was awarded scholarships from Rotary International and the Georgia Mining Association.
The Merchants Association of Columbia gave Lisa and six other Columbia County studentshelp for college by presenting them with scholarships at the group's meeting Thursday.
"We are trying to get these young people off on the right road," said Ted Lane, association member and organizer of an annual golf tournament fund-raiser.
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The association normally presents a $1,000 scholarship to a student by faculty from each county high school. The tournament was such a success, the group also awarded three $2,000 scholarships to students chosen from resumes submitted to an association committee, said President Mike Zapata.
"We really have some outstanding young people in this county," he said at the meeting.
Merchants Association of Columbia County President Mike Zapata (right)
presents Lisa Fern a $2,000 scholarship as Ted Lane, golf tournament organizer, looks on.
Photo by Valerie Rowell
Winners of the $1,000 scholarship, which were presented at each school's awards banquet, are: Harold Cochran, Harlem High School; Shalia Bussey, Greenbrier High School; Nellie Rovansek, Lakeside High School; and Lindsay McClesky, Evans High School.
Winners of the $2,000 scholarships are: Lisa Fern, Evans; Zachary Zapata, Greenbrier; and Haley Neal, Harlem.
The association raises funds year-round to support youth activities through various activities including the golf tournament and the annual Columbia County Fall Fair.
This year's fair will have a different look than in previous years because of the involvement of Drew Exposition. The local carnival company, owned by Jimmy Drew, provided amusements for the Augusta Exchange Club Fair since 1956. No longer under the contract, Drew will move his show to Columbia County for the fall fair scheduled for Oct. 30 through Nov. 8 at the Columbia County fairgrounds on Columbia Road.
"It will be a great fair this year," Zapata said.