Fourteen Beaufort County seniors were named Heritage Classic Foundation Scholars at a luncheon today at the Crowne Plaza Resort.
“The common thread that weaves through this exceptional class of scholars is not only their superior academic records, but also their all-out leadership and volunteerism at school and their communities," said Scholar Committee Chairman Ward Kirby.
The students have dedicated a combined 5,000 volunteer hours, have GPAs over 4.5 and rank in the top 5 percent in their graduating classes. In addition to academics they share a wide variety of interests. Several are actors, others are varsity athletes, some are involved in student government, three are Eagle scouts and several are deeply involved in their churches.
“They also share one other commonality,” continued Kirby. “Despite receiving these awards – made possible by the Verizon Heritage golf tournament — none of these high school seniors play golf for their schools.“
Twelve of the newly-named scholars will receive an $18,000 college grant over the next four years. Two other grants carry a $22,000 opportunity. These latter awards honor past Scholar Committee chairmen, the late Mike Malanick and John Zimmerman.
Next fall, 55 Beaufort County collegians will receive foundation grants at an expenditure of $257,500. With these 2009 grants, the grand total awarded since the program got under way in 1993 will have shot over the $2 million mark. A total of 192 students have been granted distributions of $2,050,250.
“These scholars need to maintain the necessary criteria during their four-year college careers," Kirby emphasized during the luncheon sponsored by the Palmetto Electric Cooperative.
This year, for the first time, the committee was so pleased with the exceptional quality of the applicants that they voted to award an additional six students Honorable Mention. This extra group will receive a tuition grant of $500 to the college of their choice.
Those receiving Honorable Mention were Olivia Cifaldi, Michael Manesiotis and Muira McCammon of Hilton Head High; Diana Donoslovic of Hilton Head Prep; Lauren Heiliger of Bluffton High; and Sarah Khan of Battery Creek High.
The following graduating seniors were selected as Heritage Classic Foundation scholars:
Eileen Barnes of Bluffton High — Barnes, who loves to draw, will major in graphic design at Winthrop University.
Kaitlyn Becker of Beaufort Academy — Becker, who loves math and plans a mechanical engineering career, has been accepted at both Georgia Tech and Texas A&M. She ranks No. 1 in her Beaufort Academy class, likes to write computer programs and was captain of her school's Quiz Bowl team.
Taylor Brown of Hilton Head Island High — Brown is an Eagle Scout and a straight-A student who played varsity basketball. He's been accepted at Indiana University as well as the University of Georgia. He's interested in finance, sports marketing and law.
Kaitlyn Burke of Bluffton High — Burke has been accepted at the University of South Carolina as well as the University of Alabama. She plans a career in health sciences or physical therapy and is a varsity cheerleader who volunteered at the Bluffton Bulldogs Recreation Organization.
Mary Whit Danielson of Beaufort Academy — Danielson is president of her Beaufort Academy class and plans a career in international business and merchandising. She was an exchange student in France and a member of South Carolina’s All-Star soccer team. A varsity cheerleader and a member of the state champion swimming team she will attend University of Georgia.
Alanna Gillis of Hilton Head Island High — A straight-A student, Gillis has been accepted at Clemson, Elon and Wake Forest. She plans a career in education and is a member of the volleyball team and the Spanish National Honor Society.
Alyssa Gillis of Hilton Head Island High — Alanna's twin sister plans to study communications at Clemson, Elon or Wake Forest. Salutatorian of her class at Hilton Head High, she played volleyball and tutors other students in math.
Christopher Greco of Beaufort High — Winner of the Malanick Award, Greco will study architecture or aeronautical engineering at Georgia Tech or Clemson. An International Baccalaureate candidate at Beaufort High, Greco is captain of the baseball team.
Zachary Lowther of Bluffton High — Lowther plans to study pre-medicine at Brigham Young University. Valedictorian of his class, he's also an Eagle Scout and cyclist who is active in his youth group at church.
Kenneth MacMurray of Hilton Head Island High — Fourth in his class of 232 at Hilton Head High, MacMurray plans to major in business studies at the University of Georgia Honors College. President of Math National Honor Society, he's also an Eagle Scout who received the Seahawk Award as a member of the soccer team.
Leo Magrini of Hilton Head Preparatory — Magrini plans a career as a neurosurgeon. He played football at Hilton Head Prep and has been accepted at Furman and University of South Carolina, but his first choice is Notre Dame. He has earned top honors at science fair competitions and been a volunteer at Relay for Life.
Emily Natoli of Hilton Head Island High — Natoli plans to major in political science at Vanderbilt. This true scholar/athlete captained Hilton Head High’s basketball and volleyball teams, also played soccer and is the student body president.
Mary Grace Short of Hilton Head Christian Academy — Short is president of the Student Council and the Zonta Club at her school. She plans to study political science and possibly law in college. She ranks No. 1 in her class and is a cheerleader with a passion for musical theater.
Luther Young of Battery Creek High — Winner of the Zimmerman Award, Young is an officer in student government at Battery Creek. He will attend Belmont University in Nashville, where he’ll study audio engineering. He's drum major in the marching band and a candidate for an International Baccalaureate diploma.
