EDUCATION FOUNDATION AWARDS $35,000 IN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

6/9/2022

The Richland Two Education Foundation has announced the recipients of several college scholarships it awards to high school seniors in Richland School District Two. The Dr. Stephen W. Hefner Scholarship, Calvin “Chip” Jackson Scholarship and Dr. Debra W. Hamm Scholarship are worth a total of $11,500. The Michael J. Lowder and Demetria Bannister Scholarships are worth a total of $3,500. Another $20,000 in scholarships is awarded from district partner, Service Solutions. 

The Stephen W. Hefner Scholarship was established to honor the legacy of former Richland Two Superintendent Dr. Stephen W. Hefner. This year, the recipient of the $5,000 scholarship is Macy Collins of Blythewood High School. Collins enjoys playing volleyball and was captain of the Blythewood varsity team her junior and senior seasons. She was president of the National Math Honor Society, a member of the National Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, and National Beta Club. She is an AP scholar, National Merit Scholar, and Junior Scholar. She is a co-founder of Tippy’s Ties, a not-for-profit, established for suicide awareness. Collins’ probable career field is surgical medicine. 

The Calvin “Chip” Jackson Scholarship was established in memory of former Richland Two school board member and Richland County Councilman Chip Jackson. Mr. Jackson passed away unexpectedly in August 2020. Aliya Caldwell of Westwood High School is the second recipient of the $3,500 scholarship. Teachers describe Caldwell as a very compassionate person who is always willing to serve her school and community. Caldwell is a member of the National Art Honor Society. She served as a member of student government at Westwood for three years and as senior class president. Caldwell plans to use this scholarship to become a physician assistant in general care or orthopedics.

The Debra W. Hamm Scholarship, established to honor the legacy of the former Richland Two Superintendent, will provide $3,000 in financial assistance to Blythewood High School’s Jordan Jeffers. Jeffers is an AP Scholar with Distinction, and by ranking in the top six percent of her class, she received the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Award. She is a member of the National French Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Science Honor Society and Beta Club. She gained some very valuable leadership skills through her involvement with Girl Up/Save the Children Action Network and while being a service project leader. She prides herself on being a change agent. “Change must start on a small scale” is her motto.

The Michael J. Lowder Scholarship was established in memory of Michael Lowder, a graduate of Spring Valley High School and Clemson University. Qualifying seniors in Richland Two who plan to attend Clemson were eligible to apply for this $1,500 scholarship. This year’s recipient is Caroline Nutter of Blythewood High School.

The Demetria Bannister Scholarships, worth $1,000 each, were established to honor the third grade teacher at Windsor Elementary School who died of COVID-19 in 2020. The first recipients are Julianna Moore of Blythewood High School and Rondalyn Waters of Ridge View High School.

Additional scholarships awarded through the Richland Two Education Foundation

·         Service Solutions Scholarships, $2,000 each

1.   Khatibah Adesanya, Richland Northeast High School

2.   Paris Balkcon, Blythewood High School

3.   Grant Benson, Blythewood High School

4.   Wilson Boston, Westwood High School    

5.   Zachary Brown, Blythewood High School

6.   Ashley Hubbard, Ridge View High School

7.   Riley Johnson, Blythewood High School

8.   Jillian McNally, Spring Valley High School

9.   William Sherman, Blythewood High School

10. Vone’ Whaley, Ridge View High School