Six Students Awarded Ken Bower Scholarship

For immediate release, August 19, 2009

ROCK HILL— The Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA) has awarded the Teacher Cadet scholarship, named in memory of Dr. Ken Bower, who was an architect of the original Teacher Cadet Program and curriculum.

The one-time $500 scholarships are awarded each year to Teacher Cadets who intend to become a classroom teacher in one of South Carolina's many public schools. The recipients for 2009 are:

Lindsay Davis, a former Teacher Cadet at Chesterfield High School, was active in many school and community service oriented organizations. She was involved in her school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), National Beta Club, National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, academic bowl as well as the basketball and softball teams. Davis participated in her church youth group and was involved in the Salkehatchie Summer Service project and the Youth Annual Conference for the Methodist Church. She will attend Coker College. Her Teacher Cadet instructor at Chesterfield High School was June Avant.

Sara Howle, a former Teacher Cadet at Hartsville High School, was an active member of the National Beta Club, National Honor Society, Anchor Club, Spanish Club, and Spanish Honor Society. Howle was also very active in her community through service projects with the Durant Children’s Center, Relay for Life, Darlington County Humane Society, local food banks, and the Alzheimer’s Association. She was a four-year member of the Red Foxes’ tennis team and graduated in the top 10 of her class. Howle will attend the College of Charleston and major in early childhood education. Her Teacher Cadet instructor at Hartsville High School was Jane Sligh.

Julie Jarriel, a former Teacher Cadet at T.L. Hanna High School, was an active student, athlete, and leader. She was the student body vice-president, National Honor Society president, and secretary of the Interact Rotary Club. Jarriel competed on the Yellow Jackets’ cross country team for six years and served as team captain last fall. She is also a leader in church youth group and choir, having participated in missions projects including a trip to Romania where she worked at a school for gypsy children. Jarriel will attend Furman University and intends to major in secondary education. Her Teacher Cadet instructor at T.L. Hanna was Anne Harder.

Kirby Register, a former Teacher Cadet at Darlington High School, served as president of the student government, FCA, National Honor Society and the Darlington Anchor Club. She received the Heart of the Falcon award given the staff of Darlington High School and is a past recipient of the S.T.A.N.D. award, the Governor’s Citizenship award and the Denny Neilson Citizenship award. She is also very active during her summers. In 2007 she represented her school at the National Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., and in 2008, she served as a People to People Ambassador in Europe. This summer Register completed a mission trip in Chicago, Ill., with the Center for Student Missions. She is active in her church where she teachers Sunday school. Register will attend Francis Marion University and intends to major in secondary education. Her Teacher Cadet instructor at Darlington High School was Zakiyyah Stroman.

Samantha Smigel, a former Teacher Cadet at James F. Byrnes High School, served as the vice-president for the National Beta Club and the Community Leaders of America club. She was the secretary of her school’s French National Honor Society as well as an active member in the National Honor Society. She swam on the Rebels’ varsity swim team for six years and was a captain. Additionally, Smigel was involved in Model United Nations and Youth in Government program in which she attended and competed in many competitions across the state. She was also a member of the Junior Civitan club, mock trial and recycling club. She remains busy in free time as she coaches and teaches swimming at the YMCA. Smigel was recognized as a South Carolina Teaching Fellow and will attend Winthrop University and major in elementary education. Her Teacher Cadet instructor at James F. Byrnes High School was Rhonda Dodson.

LeAnna Stanley, a former Teacher Cadet at Conway High School, is active in her church and other various activities. The reigning Miss Loris Bog Off Queen enjoys four-wheeler riding, singing, and playing the piano. Stanley will attend Coastal Carolina University where she plans to pursue a degree in middle level math education. Her Teacher Cadet instructor at Conway High School was Shelby Wiley.
Awards are determined based on the merits of scholarship, teacher recommendation and a written essay. The Ken Bower scholarship is not "needs-based" and does not rely on the Teacher Cadet's family financial information.

The scholarship is funded annually through money raised from two silent auctions held by CERRA and other donors who support the Teacher Cadet Program. If you are interested in making a tax-deductible gift to the Teacher Cadet Program, visit www.cerra.org/donate.

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About the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, & Advancement:
CERRA, an independent state agency located on the campus of Winthrop University, is the oldest and most established teacher recruitment program in the country. The purpose of CERRA is to provide leadership in identifying, attracting, placing and retaining well-qualified individuals for the teaching profession in South Carolina. CERRA is a national model and its programs have been adopted at school, district and state levels in more than 30 states in the United States.