Dist. 300 Foundation Dinner: A Celebration of Achievement

Du Quoin attorney and Distinguished Service Award recipient Kurt Harris asked graduating seniors Saturday to "pay it forward" and to bless others as he has been blessed. Educator and recipient of the Quality in Education Award, Dr. Freddie A. Banks, Jr., told students to stay true to themselves and never be dissuaded in their pursuit of success. Attorney and recipient of the Excellence in Achievement Award Alan Maclin said his success as the president of a 150-attorney Minneapolis law firm was inspired by the teachers he had in the Du Quoin school system. And, finally Jane Hayes Rader and Carol Hayes Hill (the lone direct descendents of the late W.R. Hayes and recipients of the Outstanding Community Service Award) were reminded by presenter Pam Urban that the work of their grandfather forever left its mark on the City of Du Quoin.

These were the recipients of four special awards presented every other year by the foundation and Superintendent Dr. Gary Kelly -- who authored the foundation nine years ago -- has seen its work grow to the presentation of 68 scholarships to the brightest and most promising students in the district this year. Over the past nine years, a total of more than $400,000 in scholarships have been bestowed on graduating seniors.

This year's annual dinner was held at the Du Quoin High School and the format has been changed with the awards first being presented starting at 5:30 p.m. in the storied R.R. Hibbs Auditorium followed by a great dinner of chicken breasts, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad and dessert prepared the school's food services staff. Pepsi Mid-America sponsored much of the dinner. Hand-drawn placemats and art work made by students were all around.

Weeks of planning go into the annual event to the credit of Dr. Kelly, his staff and members of the foundation board.

Following is a complete list of this year's scholarships and their recipients provided by Dr. Kelly and the foundation.

Egyptian Officials Association - Southern Illinois Coaches Association Scholarships (2) $400 scholarships - John Campbell presenting

Female -- Hope Fenton -- daughter of Tracy and Crisey Fenton

Male -- A.J. Smith -- son of Charles and Mary Smith

Drew Uhles Memorial Scholarship -- (1) $1,000 scholarships -- Neil Uhles presenting

Hannah Werner, daughter of Perry and Barb Werner

Jeff Conner Memorial Scholarship -- (1) $500 scholarship -- Pete Wertz and Joyce Lucas presenting

Alexa Landis, daughter of Calvin and Evelyn Landis

Seth Milam Memorial Scholarship -- (1) $1,000 scholarship -- John Campbell presenting

A.J. Smith, son of Charles and Mary Smith

Harris Family Christian Foundation Scholarship -- (1) $1,000 scholarship -- Angie Harris presenting

Alexa Landis, daughter of Calvin and Evelyn Landis

Jack Licata Memorial Scholarship -- (1) $1,000 scholarship -- John Vancil presenting

Samuel Manning, son of Daniel and Chrystal Manning

Harry "Corky" Strong Scholarship -- (1) $500 scholarship -- Cory Robbins presenting

Jefferey Phipps, son of Tom Phipps and grandson of Thomas and Ruby Phipps

Ann Paxton Scholarship -- (1) $500 scholarship -- Cory Robbins presenting

Emily Stanhouse, daughter of Gary and Lee Stanhouse

Veterans of Foreign Wars Scholarship -- (1) $1,000 scholarship -- Archie Hampleman and Wayne Foutch presenting

Samuel Manning, son of Daniel and Chrystal Manning

Du Quoin Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 513 Scholarship -- (1) $500 scholarship -- presenting is Cory Robbins

Jessica Harsy, daughter of Roger and Launa Harsy

Du Quoin Police Scholarships

In memory of Past Chief Jim Booker (a $500 award) -- Evan Booker presenting given to Alexa Landis, daughter of Calvin and Evelyn Landis

In memory of Past Commissioner Richard Fronek (a $500 award) -- presenting is Jamie Ellermeyer given to Carissa Graham -- daughter of David and Gena Graham

Du Quoin State Bank Scholarship -- (1) $1,000 scholarship -- Jeff Tanner presenting

Whitney Pierce, daughter of Robin Pierce

Du Quoin State Bank Indian Spirit Scholarships -- (2) $1,000 scholarships -- Jeff Tanner presenting

Wyatt Melton, son of William Melton and Jennifer Wall

Emily Stanhouse, daughter of Gary and Lee Stanhouse

John and Wanda Rednour Family Scholarship -- (1) $1,000 scholarship -- Jeff Tanner presenting

Samantha Gross, daughter of Clyde and Anita Gross

Du Quoin Lion's Club Scholarship -- (1) $500 scholarship -- Dale Spencer presenting

Amanda Atteberry, daughter of Kevin and Amy Atteberry

Marshall Browning Hospital Scholarship -- (1) - $1,000 reoccurring scholarship -- Mark Maclin presenting

Marissa Ferguson, daughter of Thomas and Shirley Ferguson

William O. Stanhouse Memorial Scholarship -- (1) $1,000 scholarship -- Opal and Bill Stanhouse presenting

Alexa Landis, daughter of Calvin and Evelyn Landis

William A. Mathis Sr. Memorial Scholarships -- (2) $1,000 scholarships -- Ruth Mathis and Billy Mathis presenting

1. Cameron Spencer, son of Jeff and Shonna Spencer

2. Allie Fred, daughter of Barb McArthur and Steve Fred

Shelley House Memorial Scholarship -- (1) $500 scholarship, Barbara Croessman of the Preceptor Alpha Eta sorority presenting

Noah Campbell, son of Eric and Vanessa Campbell

Leon Longshore Family Memorial Scholarships -- (1) $1,000 scholarship -- C.K. Longshore presenting

A.J. Smith, son of Charles and Mary Smith

Du Quoin Ministerial Alliance Scholarships -- (2) $500 scholarships --Kent Eaton presenting

1. Victoria Cavitt, daughter of Bryan and Lisa Cavitt

2. Dakota Vanwormer, son of Bruce Moore

DHS Athletic Booster Club Scholarships -- (2) $500 scholarships -- Pete Patalas presenting

1. Female --Hope Fenton, daughter of Tracy and Crisey Fenton

2. Male -- Levi Brening, nephew of Dennis and Marsha Cole

DHS Spanish Club Scholarship -- (1) $500 scholarship - Rebecca McCrary presenting

Whitney Pierce, daughter of Robin Pierce

Jacob Craig Memorial Scholarship -- (1) $1,000 scholarship - Lance and Teresa Craig presenting

Carter Leake, son of Tim and Jill Leake

McPherson Family Scholarship -- (1) $1,000 scholarship -- Paul McPherson presenting

Emily Stanhouse, daughter of Gary and Lee Stanhouse

Red Cross Service Scholarships -- (2) $250 scholarships -- Leah Winter presenting

1. Samuel Manning, son of Daniel and Chrystal Manning

2. Abigail Doerr, daughter of Darren and Wendy Doerr

Dr. Connie Jo Armstrong Memorial Scholarship -- (1) $500 scholarship -- Jana Kuhnert presenting

Grant Woodside, son of Mark and Lynn Woodside

NubAbility Athletic Scholarship Award -- (2) $500 awards -- Sam Kuhnert presenting

1. A.J. Smith, son of Charles and Mary Smith

2. Logan Patalas, son of Pete and Sue Patalas

Ashley Thompson Memorial Scholarship -- (1) $1,000 award -- Albert Thompson presenting

Abigail Doerr, daughter of Darren and Wendy Doerr

Loren E. Teel Memorial Scholarship -- (1) $500 award -- Nancy Croessman presenting

Kayle Armstrong, daughter of Jan Matthews

Marion Eye Center Scholarship -- (1) $500 award -- Jill Asbury presenting

Dakota Vanwormer, son of Bruce Moore

Educational Foundation Scholarships -- Rich Gossett and Robyn Laur Russell presenting

In memory of Steven VanDermark and funded by Harry and Phyllis VanDermark

1. $1,000 scholarship given to Kayle Armstrong, daughter of Jan Matthews

2. Funded by John and Elaine Vancil -- (1) $1,000 scholarship given to Katelyn Gregory, daughter of Mark Gregory and Paige Tripp

Funded by DHS Alumni Association

1) $1,000 scholarship given to Jacqueline Harsy, daughter of Roger and Launa Harsy

Funded by Gary and Deana Kelly

1) $1,000 scholarship given to Kelly Genesio, daughter of Charles and Heather Genesio

Funded by Indoor Softball Inc. in memory of Charles "Beaver" Rice presenting were be Bill Asbury and Jacob Emling

1) $500 scholarship given to Noah Campbell -- son of Eric and Vanessa Campbell

$1,000 level Foundation Scholarships

Abigail Doerr -- daughter of Darren and Wendy Doerr

Marisa Ferguson -- daughter of Thomas and Shirley Ferguson

Grant Woodside -- son of Mark and Lynn Woodside

Hope Fenton -- daughter of Tracy and Crisey Fenton

Samantha Gross -- daughter of Clyde and Anita Gross

Whitney Pierce -- daughter of Robin Pierce

Jessica Harsy -- daughter of Roger and Launa Harsy

Carter Leake -- son of Tim and Jill Leake

Jerry Kuhnert -- son of Monte and Kristie Kuhnert

Miranda Kish -- daughter of Curt and Tammy Kish

Jacob Valier -- son of Larry and Lisa Valier

Anthony Pierce -- son of Alan and Debbie Pierce

$500 level Foundation Scholarships

Samuel Manning -- son of Daniel and Chrystal Manning

Logan Patalas -- son of Pete and Sue Patalas

Levi Brening -- nephew of Dennis and Marsha Cole

Madison Swayne -- daughter of Andrew and Kellie Swayne

Amber Williams -- daughter of TJ and Juli Williams

Paige Szczeblewski -- daughter of Bobbie Szczeblewski

Tyler King -- son of Tammy Townley

Bryant Harsy -- grandson of Gary and Robin Hastings

Cole Daffron -- son of Brad Daffron and Crystal Winters

Jonathan Harsy -- son of Roger and Launa Harsy

Amanda Atteberry -- daughter of Kevin and Amy Atteberry

Carissa Graham -- daughter of David and Gena Graham