25 Macon-Bibb students receive Peyton Anderson scholarships
The list of Peyton Anderson scholars grew Wednesday as 25 students from Macon-Bibb’s graduating class of 2019 were awarded with scholarships from the Peyton Anderson Foundation.
The foundation, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, awarded the first Peyton Anderson Scholarship in 2009.
On Wednesday, Middle Georgia State University hosted the annual luncheon where graduating seniors received their awards.
The seniors will be attending colleges in Georgia, and they are able to renew the scholarship for four years as long as they maintain a 3.0 GPA and engage in volunteer service in the community.
The scholarships, which awards an annual amount of up to $7,500, are part of the legacy of Peyton Anderson, who, in his lifetime, provided funding for young people to attend college, according to the foundation’s press release.
Anderson’s grandson, Reid Hanson, who serves as a trustee and treasurer of the foundation, delivered the ceremony’s keynote address to talk about his grandfather’s legacy. Part of that legacy includes owning the Macon Telegraph and the Macon News in the 1950s and 60s.
“The Peyton Anderson Scholarships continue Anderson’s dedication to education and support for students from Bibb County. What is unique about our merit-based program is it recognizes students who stand out in their dedication to the community and their commitment to education,” said Karen Lambert, Peyton Anderson Foundation President, in an email to The Telegraph.
“The Peyton Anderson Scholars program isn’t just a check but an important part of these students’ lives after graduation. For the last 11 years, we’ve created a family-like network of support that nurtures our Scholars’ growth and opportunity, from Macon-Bibb and beyond.”
Also presented at the luncheon was the Juanita T. Jordan Community Service Leadership Award, which was created to honor the first president of the Peyton Anderson Foundation.
The award was given to Filmore Thomas IV, a college senior at Fort Valley State University majoring in Mathematics and double minoring in Computer Science and Cyber Security. He also plans to pursue a second bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering.
Thomas’ achievements include developing a website with free scholarship resources in his senior year of high school, performing over 400 hours of community service and cleaning, working and overseeing the activities of a local park, which was named after his great grandfather, Filmore Thomas Sr.
2019 Peyton Anderson scholars
▪ Hollis Bradham, Academy for Classical Education: Georgia College and State University
▪ Za’Kiya Brown, Southwest High School: Kennesaw State University
▪ ShaMiyah Chambliss, Westside High School: Georgia State University
▪ Yuna Chitea, Howard High School: University of Georgia
▪ Kenzavious Coats, Southwest High School: Georgia Southern University
▪ De’Omini Daniely, Southwest High School: University of Georgia
▪ Sean Dumas, Westside High School: Middle Georgia State University
▪ Mia Ferro, First Presbyterian Day School: Georgia Institute of Technology
▪ Eliazer Galvez Cruz, Southwest High School: Middle Georgia State University
▪ Anisha Goswami, Tattnall Square Academy: University of Georgia
▪ William Hoang, Westside High School: Georgia Institute of Technology
▪ Nicholus Jackson, Central High School: University of Georgia
▪ Donell Lossa, Northeast High School: Kennesaw State University
▪ MaKensie McElmurray, Howard High School: Georgia College and State University
▪ Aubrey Merritt, Rutland High School: Georgia Southern University
▪ Garrett Patterson, Howard High School: Georgia State University
▪ Janesia Phelps, Westside High School: Georgia State University
▪ Savannah Polk, Rutland High School: Mercer University
▪ Stephanie Rawls, Central High School: Georgia Institute of Technology
▪ Jordan Rozier, Howard High School: Kennesaw State University
▪ Jordan Stuckey, Southwest High School: Georgia Southern University
▪ Maggie Watson, Tattnall Square Academy: Georgia Southern University
▪ Emerald White, Central High School: Georgia Institute of Technology
▪ Mary-Alaysha Woodford, Northeast High School: Georgia Southern University
▪ Katlyn Yancey, Rutland High School: Georgia State University
This story was originally published May 29, 2019 at 10:29 AM.