Nominees wanted for Ryan Clark scholarship
Columbia County Community Connections is seeking active teens to apply for an award and scholarship honoring a former Columbia County student.
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Nominations and applications from students in Columbia and Richmond counties will be accepted for the Ryan Clark Scholarship and Community Service Award through Jan. 30, said Julie Miller, Community Connections executive director.
"We've had a good many come in," Miller said. "These (nominations) have come from school counselors mostly, people who know these kids."
Students can apply themselves or be nominated.
The first of what will become an annual award and scholarship will go to a young person between the ages of 14 and 19 who has a high moral character, demonstrates leadership qualities and has a history of service to his or her school, neighborhood or community.
"We're hoping for top-notch students, top-notch young people," Miller said. "Someone to carry on the kind of work that (Clark) did."
Clark, a 2002 Lakeside High School graduate, was among those killed in the April 2007 campus shooting at Virginia Tech.
Clark volunteered for numerous organizations. He sorted items at Golden Harvest Food Bank, served food to the homeless at the Master's Table and tutored children at Communities in Schools of Augusta-Richmond County. He also served as a counselor at Camp Big Heart, a camp for children with special needs.
Clark would have graduated from Virginia Tech in May 2007 with a triple major in biology, English and psychology.
Nominees must submit their applications and a short essay by Jan. 30.
The nominations, applications and essays should be sent to Columbia County Community Connections, P.O. Box 99, Harlem, GA 30814.
A committee of six people, made up of three representatives from each county, will determine the winner. The scholarship and award will be presented to the winner in May, Miller said.
Miller said this year's award will be accompanied by a $1,000 scholarship. Community Connections and Security Federal Bank are sponsoring the scholarship and contributions are being accepted at Security Federal Bank, 7004 Evans Town Center Blvd., Evans, GA 30809.
For information, call Community Connections at (706) 556-0609 or visit www.handson columbiacounty.org.