• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Bent Tree Foundation

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mission Statement
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact
      • Blog
      • Find Us on Facebook
  • Causes
    • Scholarships and Grants
      • Scholarships
        • Scholarships – How To Apply
      • Grants
        • Grants – How to Apply
    • Animal Care
    • Community Enhancement
      • New Radios for Bent Tree Public Safety
      • 2023 Enhancements to the Bent Tree Golf Course
      • Lifesaving Equipment for First Responders
      • All Access Trail
      • Playground Equipment
      • Bent Tree Animal Shelter
        • A Dream Comes True!
      • Bent Tree Front Gate Project
      • Paws ‘n’ Play Dog Park
      • Lady Niners Golf Course Landscape Project
      • Playground Gazebo
      • Equestrian Center Fencing
      • New Bocce Court
      • Bent Tree Administration Building Landscape Project
      • Bent Tree Equestrian Center’s Newest Structure
      • Automated External Defibrillators
    • Memorials
      • Bill Bapst Memorial Fund
      • Bob Jones Memorial Fund
      • Mary Marran Memorial Fund
      • Dick Marran Memorial Fund
      • Flo Matthiesen Memorial Fund
      • Monte Davis Memorial Fund
  • Events
    • Awards Reception
      • 2024 Bent Tree Foundation Scholarship Awards
      • 2021 Award Recipients
      • 2020 Award Recipients
      • 2019 Awards Reception
      • 2018 Awards Reception
      • 2017 Awards Reception
      • 2016 Awards Reception
      • 2015 Awards Reception
      • 2014 Awards Reception
      • 2013 Awards Reception
      • 2012 Awards Reception
      • 2011 Awards Reception
    • Recurring Events
      • Flapjacks for the Foundation
        • 2020 Flapjacks for the Foundation
        • 2019 (March) Flapjacks for the Foundation
        • 2018 (March) Flapjacks for the Foundation
        • 2017 (November) Flapjacks for the Foundation
        • 2017 (March)Flapjacks for the Foundation
        • 2016 (November) Flapjacks for the Foundation
        • 2016 (January) Flapjacks for the Foundation
        • 2015 Flapjacks for the Foundation
        • 2014 Flapjacks for the Foundation
        • 2013 Flapjacks for the Foundation
        • 2012 Flapjacks for the Foundation
        • 2011 Flapjack for the Foundation
      • Longest Day of Golf
        • 2018 Longest Day of Golf
        • 2017 Longest Day of Golf
        • 2016 Longest Day of Golf
        • 2015 Longest Day of Golf
        • 2014 Longest Day of Golf
        • 2013 Longest Day of Golf
        • 2012 Longest Day of Golf
        • 2011 Longest Day of Golf
        • 2010 Longest Day of Golf
      • Tennis Scholarship Tournament
        • 2022 Tennis/Pickleball Tournament for Scholarships
        • 2021 Tennis/Pickleball Tournament for Scholarships
        • 2020 Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
        • 2019 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
        • 2018 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
        • 2017 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
        • 2016 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
        • 2015 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
        • 2014 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
        • 2013 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
        • 2012 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
        • 2011 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
      • Wines of the World
        • 2024 Wines of the World
        • 2023 Wines of the World
        • 2022 Wines of the World
        • 2021 Wines of the World
        • 2020 Wines of the World
        • 2019 Wines of the World
        • 2018 Wines of the World
        • 2017 Wines of the World
        • 2016 Wines of the World
        • 2015 Wines of the World
        • 2014 Wines of the World
        • 2013 Wines of the World
        • 2012 Wines of the World
      • Golf Team Challenge for Scholarships and Grants
        • 2022 Golf Challenge for Scholarships and Grants
        • 2022 Golf Challenge for Scholarships and Grants
        • 2021 Golf Team Challenge for Scholarships and Grants
        • 2020 Golf Team Challenge for Scholarhips and Grants
        • 2019 Golf Team Challenge for Scholarships and Grants
  • Galleries
    • Scholarship and Grant Award Galleries
      • 2024 Grant Presentations
      • 2024 Scholarship Recipients
      • 2023 Grant Presentations
      • 2023 Scholarship Recipients
      • 2022 Grant Presentations
      • 2022 Scholarship Recipients
      • 2021 Grant Presentations
      • 2020 Grant Presentations
      • 2019 Grant Presentations
      • 2019 Scholarship Reception/Grant Reports
      • 2018 Grant Presentations
      • 2018 Scholarship Reception/Grant Reports
      • 2017 Scholarship Reception/Grant Reports
      • 2017 Grant Presentations
      • 2016 Scholarship Reception
      • 2016 Grant Presentations
      • 2015 Scholarship Reception/Grant Report
      • 2015 Grant Presentations
      • 2014 Scholarship/Grant Reception
      • 2013 Scholarship/Grant Reception
      • 2012 Scholarship/Grant Reception
      • 2011 Scholarship/Grant Reception
    • Flapjacks for the Foundation Galleries
      • 2020 Flapjacks for the Foundation
      • 2019 Flapjacks for the Foundation
      • 2018 (Nov.) Flapjacks for the Foundation
      • 2018 (March) Flapjacks for the Foundation
      • 2017 (Nov.) Flapjacks for the Foundation
      • 2017 (March) Flapjacks for the Foundation
      • 2016 (Nov.) Flapjacks for the Foundation
      • 2016 (Jan.) Flapjacks for the Foundation
      • 2015 (March) Flapjacks for the Foundation
      • 2014 (Nov.) Flapjacks for the Foundation
      • 2014 (March) Flapjacks for the Foundation
      • 2013 (March) Flapjacks for the Foundation
      • 2012 (Aug.) Flapjacks for the Foundation
      • 2012 (April) Flapjacks for the Foundation
      • 2011 (Oct.) Flapjacks for the Foundation
    • Longest Day of Golf Galleries
      • 2018 Longest Day of Golf
      • 2017 Longest Day of Golf
      • 2016 Longest Day of Golf
      • 2015 Longest Day of Golf
      • 2014 Longest Day of Golf
      • 2013 Longest Day of Golf
      • 2012 Longest Day of Golf
      • 2011 Longest Day of Golf
    • Golf Team Challenge for Scholarships and Grants Galleries
      • 2022 Golf Team Challenge for Scholarships and Grants
      • 2021 Golf Team Challenge for Scholarships and Grants
      • 2019 BTF Golf Team Challenge for Scholarships
    • Tennis & Pickleball Tournament for Scholarships Galleries
      • 2022 Tennis/Pickleball Tournament for Scholarships
      • 2021 Tennis/Pickleball Tournament for Scholarships
      • 2020 Tennis & Pickleball Tournament for Scholarships
      • 2019 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
      • 2018 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
      • 2017 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
      • 2016 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
      • 2015 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
      • 2014 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
      • 2013 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
      • 2012 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
      • 2011 Bent Tree Tennis Tournament for Scholarships
    • Wines of the World Galleries
      • 2024 Wines of the World
      • 2023 Wines of the World
      • 2022 Wines of the World
      • 2019 Wines of the World
      • 2018 Longest Day of Golf
      • 2017 Wines of the World
      • 2016 Wines of the World
      • 2015 Wines of the World
      • 2014 Wines of the World
      • 2013 Wines of the World
      • 2019 Scholarship Reception/Grant Reports
      • 2012 Wines of the World
    • Run for the Roses Galleries
      • 2012 Run for the Roses
      • 2011 Run for the Roses
  • Adoption
    • Available for Adoption
  • Donate
HomeEventsAwards Reception2013 Awards Reception

2013 Awards Reception

$16,600 in Student Scholarships Awarded to Pickens County Students

The Bent Tree Foundation, partnering with the Bent Tree Tennis Club, Golf Community and Saddle Club, awarded $16,600 in scholarships to deserving graduates of Pickens High and $7,195 in teacher/school grants to nine teachers in Pickens County schools. This total of $23,795 represents a growth of $5,645 over last years’ awards. The scholarship recipients were honored at a reception held at Club Tamarack in Bent Tree on Sunday, May 26. This year, the Foundation was able to double its individual scholarship value from $500 to $1000 and also increase the number and value of teacher/school grants over last year’s totals. The Foundation also received a very generous gift in memory of Flo Matthiesen from her husband, Jim Matthiesen, a former resident of Bent Tree. Mrs. Matthiesen was a teacher specializing in early childhood education. The Matthiesens have always been interested in promoting quality education for the young people in our community. The Tennis Club was able to increase their individual scholarship value from $900 to $1200 due to a very successful tennis tournament held in Bent Tree involving a large participation as well as enthusiastic sponsors.

General scholarships were awarded by Bill Bapst, Chairman of Bent Tree Foundation, to the following graduates of Pickens High School: Hannah Caroline Eilers (Valdosta State University), Justin Thomas Fellenbaum (Chattahoochee Technical College) and Jacob Nathaniel Godfrey (Southern Polytechnic State University). The next five scholarships were awarded in memory of Flo Matthieson: Ellyn Elizabeth Duncan (Georgia Southern University), Hannah Carleen Land (Chattahoochee Technical College), Christopher Jeffrey Leicht (University of Georgia), Judith “Tori” Victoria McDaniel (Georgia State University) and Elizabeth Charlene Ray (University of Georgia). Three designated scholarships requiring attendance at the University of North Georgia were awarded to (1) Emma Laine Hoffbauer, sponsored by Colin and Sheila Thompson in honor of their son, Christopher C. Thompson, an alumnus of the University of North Georgia, (2) Mollie Anna Shaw, sponsored by Colin and Sheila Thompson in honor of their son, Stephen W. Thompson, an alumnus of the University of North Georgia, and (3) Amber Brooke Shields, sponsored by Martha B. Stephens in honor of her sister, Linda Brown August, a former University of North Georgia faculty member.

The Bent Tree Tennis Club partnered with the Foundation in awarding three scholarships to graduating seniors participating in the Pickens High tennis program in addition to other criteria. Kristy Coleman, representing the Bent Tree Tennis Club, awarded scholarships to (1) Whitney Clark (Methodist University), (2) Samuel Jenkins Dotson (Young Harris College), and (3) Tate Edward Rizoti (Young Harris College). The Bent Tree Golf Community presented a scholarship to Kelah Mackenzie Hendon (Valdosta State College). Previously, Hailey Treadwell was awarded a scholarship to Berry College from the Bent Tree Saddle Club.

We ask for your help in promoting and supporting this program and encourage you to go to our website, benttreefoundation.org, for information on tax deductible donation opportunities. Please call 770-893-3428 if you have any questions concerning this Foundation program. The Foundation is especially grateful for the generosity of Mr. Jim Matthiesen, Nivek, and the many donors who participated in its fundraising projects.

$7,000 in Teacher Grants Awarded to Pickens County Teachers

Nine teachers from our Pickens County Schools were honored during a reception held at Club Tamarack on Sunday, May 26, by the Bent Tree Foundation. Six of those grants were funded by Jim Matthiesen, a former resident of Bent Tree, in memory of his wife, Flo Matthiesen. Flo taught school as an early childhood specialist, and both she and her husband were supporters of education in our community. The Foundation hopes that these grants will help our teachers motivate a large number of students in our classrooms to develop purpose and a sincere interest in their own education.

Grants were awarded to the following teachers and schools. Mallory Childers, a teacher at Tate Elementary School, was awarded $800 to purchase Rhymes ‘n’ Times and Divide ‘n’ Slide classroom program kits. Whitney Heath from Harmony Elementary School received $815 toward the purchase of a MimioTeach Interactive System which will provide a positive learning experience for over fifty 1st grade students. Jasper Elementary teacher Kelly Howell submitted a project promoting learning through technology. Diane Kinzer, a teacher from Hill City Elementary School, received $780 for her project, IXL Math for Fourth Graders. Pickens County Middle School teacher Jill Liberatore was awarded $1500 for her proposal “S.T.E.M.ing, the Science and Engineering Initiative.” Students will explore the relationships between science, technology, engineering and math (S.T.E.M.). Sharon Morgan, a teacher at Harmony Elementary School, received $1000 to implement a supplemental reading curriculum known as SRA Early Interventions in Reading 2012. Chastity Prather will use her $600 grant to purchase portable audio amplification systems for hard of hearing students to be used throughout the county.

Bobby Timms from Pickens High School was awarded $500 to help in purchasing “Lab Modules to Aid Science Success.” Pickens High School teacher Chris Wallace received a $1000 grant to continue the “Dragon Smoothie Wagon” (school-based enterprise for Entrepreneurial Ventures). Students will develop a business plan involving financial, marketing, budget and growth strategies complete with short, medium and long-term goals. These teachers are to be applauded for their dedication to their profession, their students, and the promotion of quality education in our schools. The grant program is a major focus of the Bent Tree Foundation due to the large number of students who will benefit from these projects.

In this, its third year, the Foundation received over $17,856 in grant requests and was only able to award $7,195 to nine grant recipients.

The Bent Tree Foundation thanks the many donors who participated in its fund raising projects this year and is especially grateful for the generosity of Mr. Jim Matthiesen and Nivek.

sidebar

Page Sidebar

Facebook

Interested in Donating?

There are so many great ways to get involved. Volunteer your time or simply provide a financial donation. Every dollar makes a difference.
PLEASE DONATE
Scholarships & GrantsMore Information
Animal CareMore Information
Community EnhancementMore Information

744 Noah Drive Suite 113-184 Jasper, GA 30143 770-406-7850

Website and SEO by MarketBlazer, Inc.

Bent Tree Foundation