Three CCSD Class of 2024 Seniors Win $25,000 Local Scholarships

Three Cherokee County School District Class of 2024 graduating seniors have earned $25,000 college scholarships from a community foundation!

It is the fifth year of the annual college scholarships presented by the Jason T. Dickerson Family Foundation.  The winners are: Claire Green of Cherokee High School and twin sisters, Maggie Maynard and Mallory Maynard of Etowah High School.

The foundation considers applicants’ academic record, community service, essay questions and their references’ recommendations.  Additional requirements are set by the foundation each year.  This year’s scholarship was limited to graduating CCSD seniors planning a career in veterinary medicine.  The application this year also required at least 50 hours of documented community service in support of animal welfare such as with animal shelters, humane societies, etc.

Congratulations to our winners and thank you to the Jason T. Dickerson Family Foundation!

Claire will be attending the University of Georgia in the fall, with future plans to earn her doctorate from its College of Veterinary Medicine and then pursue a career as a veterinarian in her community. 

A four-year cheerleader and co-captain, Claire volunteers with her school’s Student Athletic Leadership Team (SALT) program, National Honor Society and Women in STEM, as well as through her church.  Claire also is an accomplished pianist, serves as head photographer for The Warrior Word school newspaper and runs her own sports and portrait photography business, Claire Green Photography.

“Growing up and getting to see my dad in this profession allowed me to gain early exposure to veterinary medicine,” Claire said.  “Throughout my high school career, I've taken many anatomy and physiology classes, which have only strengthened my desire to enter this field.  Through shadowing and volunteering at his animal hospital, Cherokee Animal Hospital, I've been able to see many surgeries and procedures as well as the routine follow-ups and appointments.” 

Maggie and Mallory both will attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the fall to study animal science, with plans to earn their doctorates from the University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine and pursue careers as large animal veterinarians.

A tennis team member and FFA committee chair, Maggie has earned her FFA Greenhand and Chapter degrees and is working toward her FFA State degree.  She’s a member of Beta Club, National English Honors Society and Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (Spanish Honors Society) and a Shop with an Eagle volunteer.  Maggie works part-time at Pet Suites and volunteers with Georgia House Rabbit Society.  She and Mallory also run their own jewelry business, Twice as Nice at Woodstock Market.

“Growing up, I have always had a love for animals, whether I was attending local rodeos, riding horses or spending time with some of the loving bunnies I was able to foster,” Maggie said.  “I hope to improve the quality of life for animals by using my knowledge of animals around me to influence the future of veterinary medicine.  I want to work closely with farmers and ranchers who work endlessly to support the world while I do my best to protect their herds and other animals.” 

A tennis team member and FFA reporter, Mallory has earned her FFA Greenhand and Chapter degrees.  She is a member of Beta Club, National Honor Society, National English Honors Society and Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (Spanish Honors Society).  Mallory volunteers with Georgia House Rabbit Society and plans to volunteer at horse farms this summer. 

“My love for animals is not limited to smaller breeds, growing up in a family close to agriculture I was able to experience the compassion of horses,” Mallory said.  “Hearing of the experiences animals go through before finding a safe, loving home encourages me to take a more active role in finding areas to serve.  I plan to continue to fight toward making a lasting impact on the ways of agriculture and animal medicine.”

#CCSDfam #2024CCSDgrads