Verizon Heritage

 
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC - Thirteen more outstanding Beaufort County seniors were named Heritage Classic Foundation Scholars at a luncheon today at the Crowne Plaza Resort.

"These Scholars will be introduced to the general public," said the Foundation's Scholar Chairman Ward Kirby, "at the Opening Day Ceremonies for the 38th annual Verizon Heritage at noon, Monday April 10 at the Harbour Town Golf Links." This year's tournament dates are April 10-16.

Twelve of the awards have a $17,000 value over the next four years of college, providing the students maintain the necessary criteria. An additional grant named the Malanick Award, honoring the late Mike Malanick, the Foundation's first Scholar Chairman, has a $21,000 value.

The Heritage Classic Foundation, which initiated this program in 1993, sponsors twelve awards. The Hilton Head Golf Professionals' Association sponsors the other award, called the Island Cup Award. The luncheon was sponsored by Palmetto Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Next fall, 48 Beaufort County collegians will be receiving grants from this program at an expenditure of $171,000. Since the Scholar program began, the Heritage Classic Foundation's total distribution has been $1,307,500.

Kirby emphasized at today's luncheon "that these scholars not only achieved superior academic records, but they have also demonstrated outstanding leadership, both at school and in their communities. The selection process was highly competitive, with these 13 winners being chosen from 81 applicants." School officials, civic leaders, the media and families attended the luncheon.

The following graduating seniors were selected:

Battery Creek High School: Teena-Jeannie Nito, Cyrus Witte
Beaufort High School: Shanice Strobhart, Shannon Wentworth
Beaufort Academy: Evan Long
Bluffton High School: Lacy Gallagher
Governor's School: Camilo Mateus
Hilton Head Christian Academy: Nick Crandall
Hilton Head High School: Laura George, Katherine MacMurray, Alex Sineath, Christina Stritzinger
Hilton Head Prep School: Kristin Wetzel

Here are some highlights of this year's Foundation Scholars:

TEENA-JEANNIE NITO - This Battery Creek High senior has been accepted at both Clemson and Winthrop and intends to become a teacher. She is the Valedictorian of her class and has been involved in Student Government. Teena also tutors other students.

CYRUS WHITE - A candidate for an International Baccalaureate degree, Cyrus plans to attend Clemson. Besides being a member of the National Honor Society, Cyrus has played both football and soccer at Battery Creek High.

SHANICE STROBHART - Shanice has been on the honor roll all four years of her Beaufort High career, and is the salutatorian of her class. She'll study biology and pre-medicine at either Winthrop or the University of Miami. Her long-term goal is to become a physician.

SHANNON WENTWORTH - Shannon, another dedicated Beaufort High student, hopes to become a pediatrician after attending Johns Hopkins, Rice or Boston University. She has served as a Hospital Volunteer and worked in Habitat for Humanity.

EVAN LONG - This honor student at the Beaufort Academy, plans to study architecture at Davidson or UNC-Chapel Hill. Besides being a gifted visual artist, Evan played both baseball and basketball.

LACY GALLAGHER - This Bluffton High Scholar won the Gold Presidential/Citizenship Award. She hopes to become a pharmacist after attending the University of South Carolina, Winthrop or Clemson. She also served as Captain of the tennis team.

CAMILO MATEUS - Because of his outstanding excellence in math and science, Camilo was selected to attend the Governor's School in Hartsville the past two years. His goal is to become a physician after majoring in bio-chemistry. He also was on the tennis and track teams.

NICK CRANDALL - This all-around student is Number 2 in his class at Hilton Head's Christian Academy. He hopes to attend USC - Honors program or Furman, where he'll major in accounting. Nick was on the soccer team as well as being involved in the Key Club. On the honor roll for four years, Nick also enjoyed perfect attendance.

LAURA GEORGE (Island Cup Award Recipient) - This all-around Hilton Head High senior has enjoyed multiple interests. Laura is a member of the editorial board of the literary magazine as well as teaching ballet and playing the piano. She's a member of the following Honor Societies: National, Math, French and Music and won the President's Education Award for outstanding academic achievement. Wake Forest or Furman are in her sights.

KATHERINE MacMURRAY (Malanick Award Recipient) - Katherine will receive an International Baccalaureate Diploma for her accelerated studies, with no grade lower than 90 at Hilton Head High. Johns Hopkins or Emory are her first college choices, where she plans to study pre-medicine. A soccer star, she also served as a camp coach. In addition, she's a master pianist and is working on her Girl Scout Gold Award.

ALEX SINEATH - Alex plans to attend Duke, Georgetown or Davidson where he'll major in political science en route to becoming an attorney. This Hilton Head High senior has won the AP Environmental Science Award, the French IV Honors Award and the Community Service Award.

CHRISTINA STRITZINGER - She captained the Hilton Head High golf team as well as playing softball and being on the track team. Purdue, USC - Honors and UNC are her top choices, where she'll study music and journalism. Christina won the Presidential Award for Excellence. She plays trumpet in the school band and has worked at Programs for Exceptional People and is a Strive Counselor.

KRISTIN WETZEL - An outstanding golfer at Hilton Head Prep, Kristen recently signed to play golf at Notre Dame, where she'll study business and marketing. She has been President of the National Junior Honor Society and made the Trustees Honor Roll. She's also won the following awards: Geometry Honors, Physics, Calculus and Literature. A published poet, she also plays the flute.