An impressive group of four area high school graduates recently moved one step closer to their goals of attending the college of their choice. These students were awarded the 2022 Lawton Scholarship and officially joined the ranks of the 18 Lawton Family Scholarship recipients that have been named since the Scholarship began. The Lawton Family announced awards at three schools in Greene County during April and May Honors ceremonies.
Kensley Elizabeth Godbee is a standout academic scholar from Nathanael Greene Academy. She has numerous awards in scholastic excellence including overall highest GPA in her class for three years and individual teacher awards for a variety of classes over four years. Kensley was also active in Literary, being named Outstanding Performer and placing in Quartet, Trio and Rhetorical Essay. Also of significance is Kensley’s leadership and sports activities. She played varsity basketball and volleyball during all four of her high school years while maintaining high academic progress. She was also in Beta Club, Yearbook, and Youth Leadership Greene. When she wasn’t playing sports, she was cheering as a member of the varsity cheer squad. Kelsey is firm in her faith as well. One of her teachers described her as “unapologetically committed,” saying that she “never hesitates to stand up for her beliefs even in the face of social pressure.” She attended a summer service program for three years as well as a winter retreat, all at The Hill: Basic Training Ministry in Kentucky. Kensley credits her experience there with showing her how much she values a work ethic. She also said the work she was able to do with children helped her decide about for a potential career. Kensley will attend Athens Technical College in the fall, then plans to transfer to UGA to complete her degree in early childhood/elementary education.
Kyle Jordan Beasley’s academic success at Lake Oconee Academy is clear when considering his accomplishments: he was named to High Honor Roll in grades 9-12 and received national recognition from the College Board Rural Recognition program as a senior. He was a member of Beta Club and National Honors Society throughout high school. Kyle also excelled in leadership and sports. As part of the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy, he served as a group leader for a project for which his team was responsible. But Kyle particularly credits his experience as captain of his soccer team in 11th and 12th grades for the keen leadership he displays. Having a self-described “obsession” for soccer earner him numerous awards such as the First Team All-region award and Best Offensive Player for high school soccer as a junior. As captain, he was responsible for accountability for both himself and his teammates, and he set an example of a positive work ethic. In an article written by his coach, he refers to Kyle as “a person of high character.” He is described by his high school counselor as “a wellrounded young man who is concerned about social justice and leaving a positive mark on the individuals in his life.” Kyle has accepted an offer to play soccer for Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC, beginning this fall. He will major in business/ finance.
Descriptors of Christopher Lucas Minton by teachers and counselors at Lake Oconee Academy include “high intellectual capacity, reliable, dedicated, creative, and empathetic.” Lucas’s work academically and in the arts that led to these words include national recognition as an AP Scholar with Distinction, receiving an AP Capstone Diploma, being a National Honors Chorus member and Honors Performance Series, and a National Piano Guild member. While in high school, he was a member of the Youth Chorus of the Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) and served as both a cast member and a musician in LOA’s One Act Play, which won first place in region and second place in state in Lucas’ senior year. Lucas also displays strong leadership skills, developed in part as a member of the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy in which he participated as a project leader. But Lucas shows his most significant leadership at Lakepoint Church, serving as a youth worship leader during the week and as part of the overall adult and youth worship team on Sunday mornings. Lucas has held an internship at the church for the past year and gives credit to the experiences and mentoring he has had in forming his plans for a worship leadership position in the future. He says that his faith has “always held a priority” in his life and he is eager to see where God leads him. Lucas will attend Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, in the fall majoring in Commercial Music with an emphasis on guitar.
Music is also an important part of Kennedy Celeste League’s life and passion. During her four years at Greene County High School, Kennedy was part of the Tiger Marching Band’s percussion ensemble, serving as captain in her senior year and earning the Spirit Award. Through her experience, she learned not only about music but also about how much she loves to help others. As a leader in the band, she spent time teaching new marchers new parts and drills. Not only is Kennedy talented in music, but she also excels academically. Among the top students in her graduating class, Kennedy took full advantage of opportunities for dual enrollment and advanced placement/honors classes. She was awarded with the Rotary Student of the Month in her senior year along with being named a STAR student. Kennedy is described as having incredible character and compassion for others. One of her teachers wrote, “Her innate sense of compassion combined with her self-discipline and academic mind is a powerful formula for future success.” Kennedy loves science, especially biology and ecology. Through these studies, she developed an interest in conserving the environment. Kennedy will enter UGA in the fall to begin studies in Wildlife Biology in the School of Forestry and Natural Resources.
The year 2022 marks the seventh year since The Lawton Family Scholarship Fund was created by Greg and Anna Lawton. Continuing as the largest private scholarship in Greene County, it is a 10-year commitment that awards qualified students the opportunity to pursue their college or vocational dreams.
Students can fulfill their educational requirements for up to four years by continuing to meet the obligations of the scholarship. The Lawtons established the direction and purpose of their Scholarship Fund in 2015, which is to inspire hope, build futures, and transform the lives of teens in Greene County.
The Lawtons affirm, “We feel blessed to connect with students in Greene County where this Scholarship Fund can inspire them to aspire to pursue their educational goals without undue financial burden. Our dream is to have many Lawton Scholars thrive with their educational dreams and pursue careers that positively impact their lives and the future communities where they choose to reside. Our family will be involved as mentors to these individuals during their educational journey and future work-related roles.”
Thus far, six of the 22 students named as Lawton Scholars have been awarded college degrees, with two graduating Magna Cum Laude. Of the six, three are successfully employed and excelling, one begins a teaching career this fall, and two are earning advanced degrees in graduate school.
The Lawton Family Scholarship Fund is administered through ATLAS Ministry, which has been an active part of Greene County since 2006. ATLAS is a Christ-centered community resource that works with families who are committed to setting their lives on a healthy and productive path. The ATLAS Continuum provides academic and Biblical literacy to students from birth through third grade in the Early Learning Program, and from third grade through high school and beyond through the Christian Learning Center. The program structure provides for a continuous connection between families and children.
– Submitted by Dr. Susan Young, Administrator, Lawton Scholarship