by Natasha Khairullah
Staff Writer
Five Jacksonville high school students were recognized for their accomplishments and were each awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the Meninak Club at its meeting Monday.
Scholarship winners were Morgan McCoy of Jean Ribault High School, Lindsey Hidenrite of Stanton College Preparatory School, Thomas Elledge of Baker County High School, Kaitlin Seaman of St. Joseph’s Academy in St. Augustine and Suzanne Sprinkles of Middleburg High School.
The award recipients were qualified for the grant based on a combination of things including extensive community service, leadership, academic standing as well as financial need. All of the students were also a part of the Youth Leadership Jacksonville Program that works with Meninak and the scholarship committee to award students scholarships applicable to any university throughout the country.
Don Whalen, chairman of Meninak’s scholarship committee, said this year, there were about 23 applicants. The committee, made up of nine community leaders, narrowed the list down to 10 finalists who were individually interviewed over a two day period. That group was narrowed down to a top five – every one of the recipients had a grade point average of 4.0 or better.
“This was the toughest year we’ve had so far,” said Whalen. “They (the applicants) were all qualified. After some time, we finally got down to the five that we thought were most deserving.”
In the 10 years that the club has funded the Meninak Leadership Grants, a total of $250,000 has been awarded to 50 high school students.The scholarship fund is raised through donations from Meninak members.
At the meeting, each award recipient was introduced, handed a plaque and given the opportunity to speak before the club members and attendees.
Gail Keith with Character Counts was the guest speaker for the meeting and stressed the importance of becoming more involved in the lives of today’s youth. Character Counts is a non profit group that assists in character education by implementing “The Six Pillars of Character.”
“We need to provide our children with good examples and role models,” she said. “And we cannot be old-fashion. We have to refashion.”