2020 Bent Tree Foundation Scholarship Awards
By: Debbie Davis
The Bent Tree Foundation, in partnership with the Bent Tree Tennis and Golf Community, awarded $14,000 in scholarships this year with funds raised through a variety of events including a very successful tennis tournament, a new and very successful golf tournament sponsored by the Bent Tree Foundation, FATZ pancake breakfast events, wine and cheese tastings and the many generous donations from Bent Tree residents and Pickens County community supporters. Due to health and safety issues that have affected everyone this year, the Bent Tree Foundation Scholarship reception was cancelled. Even though the students were unable to be officially recognized for their awards, the Bent Tree Foundation wishes to congratulate all of the scholarship recipients on their hard work and dedication to their educational aspirations and goals.
Bent Tree Foundation scholarships were awarded to the following graduates of Pickens High School: 1) Adam Hunt (Kennesaw State University); 2) Peyton Schmidt (Georgia State University) funds donated by Kathy and Richard Hall; 3) Sarah Bramlett (Valdosta State) funds from the Sundays Golf and Grins Group organized by Carol Carlsen, 4) Jordan Elwarner (University of Georgia) funds donated by “The Nine Aces”; 5) Hannah Landreneau (Georgia State University); 6) Edward Valdovinos (University of North Georgia); 7) Katie Mallett (Reinhardt University); 8) Nathan McEntire (University of Georgia).
Two designated scholarship requiring attendance to the University of North Georgia were awarded to 1) Hailey Shepard, sponsored and funded by Martha B. Stephens in honor of her sister, Linda Brown August, a former University of North Georgia professor; 2) David Zhang, sponsored and funded by Colin and Sheila Thompson in honor of their sons, Christopher C. Thompson and Stephen W. Thompson, both alumni of the University of North Georgia.
The Bent Tree Tennis Community, in partnership with the Foundation, awarded four scholarships to the following students: 1) Jacob Kennedy (Anderson College); 2) Emily O’Shields (University of Georgia); 3) Adeline Fitts (University of Georgia); 4) Jacob Gailey (Shorter College).
The Bent Tree Foundation was established in 2009 and with its partners has awarded over $220,000 in student scholarships and teacher/school grants to our Pickens County students and schools. Jesse Hunter, Chair of The Bent Tree Foundation and the Bent Tree Foundation Board members would like to thank all of the many volunteers and donors who have made these awards possible for the students of Pickens County. Those who wish to join us in this endeavor or to honor a loved one may do so by going to our website, www.benttreefoundation.org. to find information on tax-deductible donation opportunities. As always, we continue to be grateful for your past support as well as seeking your future support to further the Foundation’s mission regarding student scholarships and teacher/school grants.