Scholarship
News
We had one student from our Lodge who was a winner of the Elks National Foundation’s Most Valuable Student
scholarship contest. Miss Anna Kelly of Port Orange, a Spruce Creek Student, who is the daughter of Kathy and Patrick
Kelly won a $4000.00 ($1000.00 annual) scholarship. Anna was our September Student of the Month from Spruce
Creek and will be going to the University of Florida, majoring in pre-medicine.
We had no winners of the Elks National Foundation’s Legacy Award. Members should speak to their children or
grandchildren who are entering their senior year of high school this fall about applying for this scholarship.
Emergency Educational Grants to children of deceased or totally disabled Elks members, which helps with the cost of
college education. Starting with the 2015-16 year, there are a few important updates to the Emergency Educational
Grant application, which became available May 1, 2015. Both new and renewal applications will be due October 31,
2015. New this year, applicants will submit their applications directly to the Elks National Foundation Scholarship
Office in Chicago. Upon receipt of the application, the Chicago office will contact the sponsoring Elks Lodge to verify
parent membership and death/disability information. After review of the application, the Scholarship office will notify
the applicant and the sponsoring Lodge of the award amount via email and letter. For complete details about the
Emergency Educational Grants, please visit www.elks.org/ENF/scholars/eefgrants.cfm.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
On April 21, 2015, I presented the May Student of the Month Awards at both Atlantic High School and Spruce Creek
High School. The presentations were done early due to school schedules.
ATLANTIC HIGH SCHOOL
Miss Alissa Crawford of Daytona Beach, who is the
daughter of Julene Ryans and Don Crawford has a 3.68
GPA and will be attending the University of North Florida working towards becoming an anesthesiologist.
Mr. Tyree White of Port Orange, who is the son of Tyronn White and Ria Woods-White has a 3.20 GPA and
will be attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University,
working towards a degree in mechanical engineering.
SPRUCE CREEK HIGH SCHOOL
Miss Morgan Kumm of Ormond Beach, who is the
daughter of Tracie Kumm, has a 4.6 GPA and will be
attending Florida Southern College, majoring in biology
with a pre-med track.
Mr. Thomas Dao of Port Orange, who is the son of
Nhuyea Dao, has a 4.6 GPA and will be attending the
University of Central Florida, majoring in Biology.
Left to right: Paul Leonard; students, Tyree White and
Alissa Crawford; and Principal, Ms. Teresa Marcks.
Left to right: Principal, Dr. Todd Sparger; Students,
Morgan Kumm and Thomas Dao; Guidance Counselor,
Ms. Susan Chance; and Paul Leonard.
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Scholarship
News
(Con’t)
STUDENT OF THE YEAR
On Thursday, May 28, 2105, Student of the Year awards were presented at both Spruce Creek High School Senior
Awards Nigh and at Atlantic High School Senior Awards Night. Lodge Loyal Knight, Gary VanOpdorp presented Student of the Year awards with a check for $150.00 to Spruce Creek High School students, Miss Kristina Harris of Port
Orange, and to Mr. Jonathan Amon of Port Orange. Kristina was Spruce Creek’s December Student of the Month.
Kristina will be attending Bucknell College in Pennsylvania, majoring in International Relations with a minor in Latin
American studies. Jonathan was Spruce Creek’s January Student of the Month. Jonathan will be attending Georgetown
University in the McDonough School of Business working towards a MBA.
Lodge Scholarship Chairman, Paul Leonard, presented Student of the Year awards with a check for $150.00 to Atlantic
High School students, Miss Madison Campbell of Port Orange and Mr. Kendrick Williams, Jr., of Daytona Beach.
Madison was Atlantic’s December Student of the Month, and she will be attending Florida Southern University, working towards a degree in international business and international relations. Kendrick was Atlantic’s September Student of
the Month, and will be attending Weber International College in Lakeland.
I hope that everyone has a great summer.
Fraternally,
Paul Leonard
Lodge Scholarship Chairman
Americanism Contest Winner
Sean Snodgrass, an eighth grade student at Creekside
Middle School, with his father, Paul Snodgrass of Port
Orange, Florida, Carvell Lloyd and Belle Altice. Sean
placed third in Division 2, 7th & 8th grade in the Florida
State Americanism Essay Contest: “What Does The
Pledge of Allegiance Mean to Me?”
The recognition breakfast and award presentation was
held at the Port Orange Lodge on Sunday, May 17,
2015. Sean read his essay and was then presented a
$500 check from Exalted Ruler Larry Lewis.
The Pledge of Allegiance
By: Sean Snodgrass
When you say the Pledge of Allegiance you aren’t just saying a few words with your hand over your heart.
You are pledging to be an American. You are pledging to be honest and respectful to your fellow Americans.
You are showing pride and loyalty to your country.
To me, the words,” I pledge allegiance to the flag,” means that you’re not just pledging to the flag but that
you are promising to be a good American. When you put your hand over your heart it shows that you care for
and love your country and will do anything in your power to protect it. When I put my hand on my heart and I
say those words, it feels as if I’m not a single person, but as if I’m a part of something big. I feel like I’m one
of many people who will do anything and everything for this amazing country.
One of my favorite words in the pledge is indivisible. When I speak that word it makes me feel strong. Our
country is indivisible because it cannot be divided. We are a strong country, who has fought everything from
terrorists to ourselves at one point, but we cannot truly ever be divided. America is like a big family. Yeah, we
may fight over the TV, but we will always love each other in the end.
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