2020 Golf Scholarship Recipients
Greenville County Schools has awarded a total of $46,500 in GCS Foundation Golf Tournament scholarships to 31 seniors. Twenty recipients were chosen from entries received from District employees’ children. The remaining scholarship winners were selected from students’ applications across the school system. Over the past 24 years, about $589,000 has been awarded to high school seniors as part of the GCS Scholarship Program. The 24th annual GCS Foundation Golf Tournament was held last fall at Pebble Creek Club.
Judges for this year’s scholarship program were: Chris Haines, Coordinator of School Mental Health Programs, Greenville Mental Health Center; Mary Capers Bledsoe, Executive Director YMCA Youth in Government; and Nick Butler, Clinical Operations Analyst, Prisma Health.
2020 Scholarship Recipients
Berea High School
Allyson M. Jackson, Lander University
Alyson plans to use her love of mathematics and science to pursue a career that employs both subjects. She helps new players on the tennis team learn skills and the rules of the game. She is a student athlete with a 4.0 grade average, member of Student Council, Beta Club, National Honor Society, and works two jobs. Allyson is the daughter of Michelle Jackson.
Blue Ridge High
Braden William King, Clemson University
Braden’s dream is to help people live a better life by creating solutions to complex medical challenges. After graduation, he plans to design or build prosthetics, research new solutions to problems, and help people overcome their physical challenges. He is an outstanding athletic teammate who has proven to be willing to fill various roles for the benefit of the team. Braden is the son of Bill and Jodi King.
Carolina High and Academy
Jacob Daniel Levesque, College Undecided
Jacob’s favorite class is digital electronics, which taught him the basics of electrical engineering. He wants to work to solve problems like climate change, and will do so by developing cheaper electric cars with longer range. Jacob is a member of National Honor Society and the band, as well as plays the guitar and works outside of school. He is the son of Nicole Levesque, who is a K4 paraprofessional at Westcliffe Elementary School.
Celeste Alcantar-Garcia, Clemson University
Celeste is active in National Honor Society, the Environmental Club, and the Science Olympiad. She volunteers for Project Host and helps maintain the school garden and school store. She has always enjoyed working through math problems and exploring the disciplinary concepts of science. In addition to being creative, civic-minded and professional, she is self-motivated and curious. Celeste is the daughter of Julia Garcia.
Eastside High
Jonathan Fox, Clemson University
Jonathan is an excellent role model at school. He is a member of Mu Alpha Theta and National Beta Club. He is committed to cross country and track, and has been selected to the all-state team. Jonathan wants to use his college years to study how the human body and mind work. Jonathan is the son of Greg and Cynthia Fox. Greg teachers at Eastside High and Cynthia is a teacher at Pelham Road Elementary School.
Andersen Wade, Furman University
Andersen selected Furman University because of its therapy center that will provide her with a valuable foundation for practicing physical therapy. She is currently employed at a local physical therapy clinic. She is a member of the Spanish Honors Society and volunteers at a number of events to assist children in a nearby Latino community. Andersen is the daughter of Brian and Tracee Wade. Tracee is the clerk at Mauldin High School.
Louisa Brown, College Undecided
Louisa is president of the Beta Club and founder of the Eastside Ukulele Club. She would like to major in medical interpretation, speech pathology, or international business. Louisa has assisted with community service food drives and Back Pack Blessing, a program that sends food home for children in need. Louisa is the daughter of Gresham Brown. Gresham is a teacher at Stone Academy.
Greenville High Academy
Jaedyn Hill-Mims, Furman University
Jaedyn has a passion for intellectual debate, which she will use to become a criminal defense attorney. She has taken six AP courses, four dual-enrollment courses, and eight honors courses. She is involved in Beta Club, Diversity Club, and athletics. Jaedyn is part of her church’s dance ministry, where she serves as a group leader. She is the daughter of Joey Mims.
Louise Cassels, University of South Carolina
Louise plans to major in business, earning a marketing management degree in hopes of becoming a business owner. She is well-liked by her peers because of her kindness to all students and outstanding school spirit as Student Body President. She serves as a mentor for Big Brother Big Sister and served on the Student Leadership Team at her church. Louise is the daughter of Heathley and Warren Cassells. Heathley is a teacher at Augusta Circle Elementary School.
Michael Jopling, Wofford College
Michael is a role model for younger children, and he serves as the GHS school mascot, the Red Raider. He plans to study pre-med in hopes of becoming a doctor. He is active in National Honor Society, Youth in Government, and his church. He has consistently chosen to push himself to take classes at the Honors and AP levels. Michael is the son of Rebecca Jopling. Rebecca is a teacher at Wade Hampton High School.
Greer High
Xavier Johnson, Berklee College of Music
As a saxophonist and composer, Xavier participates in ensembles within and outside the school setting. His goal is to become proficient in these fields and travel while performing. As a band student, he always strives for perfection in performance. He serves as Drum Major and demonstrates his ability to observe a situation and provide a reasonable solution. Xavier is the son of Machaka Young.
Rothani Allen, Limestone College
Because of a family member with a rare medical condition, Rothani plans to become a registered nurse anesthetist so she can help others understand the medical procedures they are facing. She is a member of the volleyball team, National Honor Society, and Beta Club. Rothani has excelled in honors, International Baccalaureate, and dual credit courses. She is the daughter of Roth and Cassina Allen. Cassina is assistant principal at Greer High School.
Hillcrest High
Emma Given, Clemson University
As the daughter of two teachers, Emma has always known she would become a teacher. She serves on the Interhigh Council and is encouraged to know that District leaders are interested in hearing students’ perspectives on issues. Emma volunteers her time to refugees and has been on mission trips across the country. Emma is the daughter of Eric and Sally Given. Eric is a teacher at Generations Group Homes and Sally is a teacher at Simpsonville Elementary School.
Luke Moody, Clemson University
Luke has been a model student, balancing academic responsibilities while maintaining his commitment to serving as senior class president, a member of the golf team, and in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is a talented video editor and has made several highlight videos for the school. His goal is to go into the civil engineering field. Luke is the son of Lori Moody.
Austin Mader, Clemson University
Austin will major in construction science and management, then use his career to lead mission projects around the world. He is editor of the yearbook staff and manages social media for the yearbook. He is on the varsity swim team and plays lacrosse. Austin serves his community in service with Salkehatchie Summer Service, Hands on Greenville, and his church. Austin is the son of Steve and Holly Mader.
JL Mann High Academy
Julia Lewis, College Undecided
With a degree in Business Administration, Julia dreams of becoming a successful businesswoman. Over the past four years, she has been involved in organizing Spirit Week events, raising over $600,000 for charities. She has passed rigorous classes to complete the AP Capstone program, and is a member of the French and Art clubs. Julia is the daughter of Thomas and Marina Lewis. Marina is a social worker at Mauldin High School.
Adelyn Pedrick, Clemson University
Because of injuries she sustained in a skiing accident, Addie wants to become a physician’s assistant. She is passionate about ski patrol, snowboarding, the medical field, and running track and cross country. She is a member of New Tech @ Mann, a project-based learning program. She is described as independent and team-oriented. Addie is the daughter of Christopher Pedrick. Her mother is a teacher at Greer Middle School and her step-mother teaches at Mauldin High.
Delaney Greene, Clemson University
Delaney hopes to one day work in surgical dentistry overseas in third-world countries. She has demonstrated leadership abilities as JV Soccer Captain, Youth Council Leadership, and a member of her church basketball team. As a member of the church youth leadership team, she has helped plan events, taught her peers, and led small groups on trips. Delaney is the daughter of Karen Greene. Karen is principal at Mauldin Middle School.
Mauldin High
Jackson James McNair, College Undecided
With a love for hands-on building, Jackson has set a goal of becoming an engineer. He describes himself as athletically involved and community-minded. When he realized that some students were homeless, he organized a Giving Tree project to anonymously provide them with toiletries and food. He is a member of the Beta Club, HOSA Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Jackson is the son of Peyton McNair, who is a substitute teacher at Mauldin High and Mauldin Middle schools.
Kavya Patchipulusu, University of South Carolina
Kavya once taught a deaf child to dance by feeling the musical vibrations through a speaker. She hopes to continue research into the relationship between music and neurological stimulation in deaf children. She is a member of the school’s HOSA Future Health Professionals Club, Varsity Tennis team, National Honor Society, and Spanish National Honor Society. She is an excellent dancer and coaches children in dance. Kavya is the daughter of Aruna and Prasad Patchipulusu.
Jaimeen Ketan Shah, College Undecided
Jaimeen plans to major in psychology and business with the ultimate goal of becoming the U. S. Surgeon General. In addition to being an exceptional student, Jaimeen has been active in Beta Club, HOSA, Mu Alpha Theta, basketball, Student Council, and National Honor Society. He has received numerous awards for his research in the medical field, and he volunteers at Greenville Memorial Hospital. Jaimeen is the son of Ketan and Ragi Shah.
Riverside High
Lily Mauro, Clemson University
Lily is a member of the Greenville Starz Cheerleaders, a group that bonds girls with various developmental and physical disabilities together. As a coach, Lily guides young women with patience, skill, and commitment, leading them to win a gold medal. She is a member of Youth in Government and National Honor Society. Lily is the daughter of Kimberly Mauro, bookkeeper at Riverside Middle School.
Alexander Cummings, Erskine College
Alex is captain of the soccer team and president of the fishing team. He worked a co-op job as a plant welder at Crane One through the Bonds Career Center program, giving him opportunities to build cranes and products for Lockheed Martin’s new fighter jet. He has earned the rank of Eagle Scout and mentors special education classes at local elementary schools. Alex is the son of Eric Cummings, a teacher and coach at Riverside High School.
Southside High
Tyler Alexander, North Carolina A & T State University
Tyler will graduate with a high school diploma plus an International Baccalaureate certificate, then begin his studies in Chemical Engineering. He is enrolled in advanced academic courses as well as serving a member of National Honor Society and the football and track teams. He ensures success by demonstrating exceptional leadership skills. Tyler is the son of Kyle and Carmen Alexander.
Travelers Rest High
Ashlyn Stroud, Erskine College
Ashlyn wants to pursue a major in Health Science with the ultimate goal of becoming a pediatric physical therapist. She has been active in soccer, basketball and track. She is a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society, participating in community service activities throughout the year. Ashlyn is the daughter of Tonya Stroud. Tonya is an employee in the GCS Procurement Department.
Toby Foster, Lander University
Toby has taken rigorous high-level courses and participated in cross country, wrestling, and baseball. He has decided to major in nursing, specifically with pediatric oncology patients, because of his desire to help others. Toby is a member of Student Council, Newspaper staff, School Improvement Council, and Beta Club. He is the son of Joe and Heather Foster. Joe is the principal of Woodmont High School and Heather is a counselor at Travelers Rest High School.
Wade Hampton High
Sally Abdelnabi, Clemson University
Sally would like to become a mechanical engineer and travel and solve problems across the globe. She is active in the Spanish Club, track, and technical theatre arts. She is a teacher cadet and a member of Junior Civitans. She consistently does the right thing and leads by example. Sally is the daughter of Aseel Abusubbah.
Allison Holeman, Colorado School of Mines
Allison says her college choice is one of only a few universities that will allow her to prepare for a career path in the space industry, specifically engineering relating to spaceflight, space exploration, and chemistry research. In addition to taking Advanced Placement courses, Allison is an AP level Java programmer and works at the Greenville Humane Society. Allison is the daughter of Lorraine Holeman, counselor at Wade Hampton High School.
Woodmont High
Kara Lindsey, Clemson University
Kara plans to earn a degree in bioengineering and working with the human body system to make new discoveries and technological advancements. She is a member of the swim team, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Junior Civitans, and Youth in Government. She’s involved at Plain Elementary as the play director and set designer. She has a gift for explaining things to others in ways they would better understand it. Kara is the daughter of Christine Lindsey, who is a teacher at Plain Elementary School.
Amanda Wallace, Appalachian State University
Amanda’s lifelong career goal is to become a pediatric emergency room doctor. She will major in nursing and minor in communication disorders such as vision, speech, and hearing. Amanda has an intellectual curiosity and personal integrity. She is a well-rounded student who contributes through the Interact Club, IB program, and as a varsity cheerleader. She is the daughter of Jeff and Colleen Wallace. Colleen is a teacher at Woodmont High School.
Isabelle Duncan, Clemson University
Isabelle will major in Elementary Education with plans of becoming a teacher. She participates in the Teacher Cadet program, assisting in a second grade classroom. She is involved in National Beta Club, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is a member of the golf team. She is a leader in class, volunteering for class demonstrations and bringing a positive attitude every day. Isabelle is the daughter of Annette Duncan, graduation coach at Woodmont High School.