Lee University announced Andrew Strike, Jordan Willcutt, and Derek Murray as the gold scholars of the 2011 Rymer Scholarship awards.

Three gold, silver, and bronze scholars were presented plaques at the annual Rymer Scholars banquet in Lee University’s Centenary Room on April 26.

These annual awards were established in 1990 and are provided through the Rymer Foundation, which was founded by Hoyle Rymer and his father, the late Robert Rymer. The purpose of the award is to honor student achievement and encourage outstanding students to stay in the Cleveland area for higher education.

The scholarship originally selected two winners to receive scholarships of equal amounts. The Rymer Foundation created Gold and Silver categories for its winners in 1994 and expanded again in 2007 by adding the Bronze category. Since the scholarship’s inception, more than 100 local high school students have earned the title “Rymer Scholar.”

This year, nine applicants were selected for the awards. Principals from Bradley Central High School, Cleveland High School, and Walker Valley High School nominated faculty representatives to serve on the selection committee alongside Lee University representatives, chosen by Lee President Dr. Paul Conn.

The selection committee reviewed the applications and conducted interviews with each finalist. The winners were selected based on their leadership in extracurricular, athletic and church-based activities, high school rank and GPA, college board exam scores, and personal interview.

Rymer gold scholarship winners Strike, Willcutt, and Murray, will receive a $10,000 scholarship towards their college education.

Rymer silver scholarship winners Dillon Rader, Adam Spivey and Josiah Augustine, will receive a $5,000 scholarship toward their college education.

Finally, the Rymer bronze scholarship winners, Rachel Boltniew, Tanner Gwaltney and Madison Vaught, will receive a $2,000 college scholarship.

All of the Rymer Scholarship earnings will be distributed over a four-year period.