Two Democrat groups award scholarships to graduating seniors

Two Democratic organizations in Hood County have awarded scholarships to 10 Granbury High School graduating seniors.

Texas Democratic Women of Hood County recently awarded scholarships to seven young ladies, a significant increase in the number of scholarships that the organization is typically able to fund.

In addition, the Hood County Democrats awarded three scholarships to graduating seniors in memory of former party chair Joyce Carver.

Representatives of the two organizations awarded the scholarships during the annual GHS awards ceremony held Thursday, May 18.

After reviewing applications and reading applicants’ essays on the topic “Why I Believe in Democratic Values,” the TDWHC Scholarship Committee chose the following students to receive scholarships: Isabella Vazquez, Julissa Hernandez, Brandi (Lou) Whiting, Tessa Fox, Ava Williamson, Jillian R. Tremble, and Kaitlyn Smith.

All have been accepted as students to a college or university.

Scholarships range from $750-$1,500 and were named for former TDWHC presidents Glenda Vernon and Glenda Pirkle, who encouraged young women in Hood County to pursue higher education.

TDWHC President Sherry Johnson said the organization usually awards two or three scholarships but this year was able to raise enough money for seven.

The Joyce Carver scholarships given by Hood County Democrats are for $1,000. The competition is open to both male and female graduating seniors who hold at least a 3.0 GPA and who plan to attend a college/university or vocational/technical school.

Winners were Cooper Sanderson, Abiah Wark, and Averie Coffman.

A written statement by Hood County Democrats said, “Our winners demonstrated that they embody Joyce’s humanitarian values and ideals through their community involvement as well as (through) a written essay on the theme of ‘Better Together: Our families, schools, and communities are better when everyone is included.”