WMHS seniors celebrated at awards ceremony

by Susan Gibbs Record Reporter
Published: May 29, 2008

William Monroe High School Class of 2008 members were awarded more than $329,000 in scholarships at the Senior Awards Ceremony Friday, May 23.

Two seniors were awarded Montgomery GI Bills - which require active duty for training and an obligation in the military reserves - to further their educations.

Many scholarship recipients were part of a core group, according to WMHS Scholarship Coordinator Angelina Santus. “The most applicants I had for any scholarship was 12 … a lot don’t apply because they think, ‘I’m not number one or number two,’ but it’s community service that’s (the scholarship people) they want, and a kid who’s going to write an essay.”

One recipient who did community service and was perhaps into writing essays is Erin Michael Jones, son of Elie and Frankie Jones of Ruckersville, who received almost $44,000 in scholarships grants and loans.

Jones, who will be attending Carleton College in Minnesota in the fall for both academics and athletics, says he will be “studying economics, physics and math” before going for a Masters Degree in Business Administration. His goal, Jones says, is to be a mechanical engineer focusing on biomedical engineering, and that field’s “ethics in the global marketplace.”

“My husband and I … encourage community service and involvement in the community,” says Jones’ mother, Frankie. “I think the community helps raise a child. When we moved here from Florida, when Erin was eight years old, he worked on farms … (community members) welcomed him and encouraged him.”

The military awards - which have indeed been listed as awards on the WMHS website, Santus says, “were a complete surprise.” Jordan Walker received $61,500 from the Marines Tuition Assistance Program.

For that, says Marine Corps recruiter SSgt. Richard W. Ide, “will be departing for boot camp August 18.” The other recipient of military funds is Nicole Bennett, who received $45,200 from the United States Army