Published: June 01, 2009 03:52 pm      

Area seniors earn Tomorrow Scholarship Awards

A total of 10 graduating seniors from Cumberland County High School, Stone Memorial High School and Phoenix School have been awarded Tomorrow Scholarship Awards for the year 2009. Recipients from Cumberland County High School are Ashley Wilson, Adie Whisnant, Alexander Taylor and Edsel Buck Tanner. Recipients from Stone Memorial High School are Amber Bell, Cynthia Fraga, Casey Richmond, Josh Newman and Josh Parsons. The recipient from Phoenix School is Sonya O’Neal. Each will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Ashley Wilson is the daughter of Tammy Parks and Joseph Frank Wilson. She plans to pursue a degree in pharmacy at Tennessee Tech University.

Adie Whisnant is the daughter of Kimberly Stewart and Michael Dunn Whisnant. She plans to major in psychology at Tennessee Tech University.

Alexander Taylor is the son of Tammy Clipper and Alex Taylor. He plans to pursue a degree in electrical engineering at Tennessee Tech University.

Edsel Buck Tanner is the son of Edsel D. Tanner and the late Charlotte G. Tanner. He plans to earn a degree from Nashville Auto Diesel College.

Amber Bell is the granddaughter of Bernard and Doris Green. Her plans are to attend Middle Tennessee State University to study performing arts and dance.

Cynthia Fraga is the daughter of Alberto Fraga and the late Norma Fraga. She plans to focus her studies on health care at Tennessee Tech University.

Casey Richmond is the daughter of Greg Richmond and Christina Woodruff. She plans to pursue a degree in pre-medicine at Tennessee Tech University.

Josh Newman is the son of Rick Adams and Dianna Adams. He plans to pursue a degree in forestry at Roane State Community College and the University of Tennessee.

Josh Parsons is the son of Anthony Parsons and Shirley Parsons. He plans to attend Roane State Community College.

Sonya O’Neal is the daughter of the late John “Buddy” O’Neal. She plans major in nursing at Tennessee Tech University.

Since 1991, the Tomorrow Scholarship Fund has been awarding scholarships to Cumberland County students based on academic ability and financial need. Originally, anonymous donations from local physician Dr. Joseph Robertson and his late wife, Virginia, funded the scholarships. The Tomorrow Fund continued after Virginia’s death in 1995, through a bequest from her estate. In 1998 the fund obtained tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) Private Foundation, thanks to the efforts of local attorney and CPA Thomas E. Hale. Donations to the fund are now tax-deductible. Since 1998, the fund has given over $91,000 in scholarships to students who have graduated from Cumberland County. Vivian E. Warner, a local attorney who passed away in February of 2008, was a Trustee of the Fund for many years and instrumental in its continuing success in helping deserving students continue their educations past high school.

Contributions to the Tomorrow Scholarship Fund can be made directly or donated as gifts. Several donors have opted to make contributions in memory of friends or family in lieu of memorial flowers at funerals. Whatever the contribution, each donor receives a letter of gratitude. The family also receives a card letting them know that a donation has been made in the memory of their loved one.

Scholarship selections are made by May 1 of each year. Only graduates of Cumberland County schools are eligible for selection. Interested students should contact the guidance department at CCHS, SMHS or Phoenix School for information and applications.

For more information about the Tomorrow Scholarship Fund, please contact Allison Barker Watson at 484-8732. Donations may be sent directly to: Tomorrow Scholarship Fund, c/o Allison Barker Watson, 116 Rector Avenue, Crossville, TN 38555.