Three Gold Scholars, Silver Scholars and Bronze Scholars will be honored at the annual Rymer Scholars Banquet at Lee University on Thursday.
The scholarships are awarded annually by the Rymer Foundation, established by Hoyle Rymer and his father, the late Robert Rymer, honoring exceptional achievement and encouraging students to continue their education in Cleveland.
Nine finalists were chosen from the group of applicants for the 2012 awards. The Rymer Gold Scholarship winners will receive a scholarship of $10,000; Silver Scholars will receive $5,000; and Bronze Scholars $2,000. Honorariums are dispersed to the winners over a period of four years.
This year's winners of the Rymer Gold Scholarship are Matthew Christian Cook, Caleb Baker Hiddleson and Megan Webb.
Cook, a senior at Bradley Central High School, is the son of Bryan and Traci Cook.
Currently ranked 13 of 390, Cook has a 4.0 GPA and is a Tennessee Scholar and Bear Scholar. Cook is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Invisible Children, and was selected for the Bradley County Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Council. He has volunteered at the YMCA, Habitat for Humanity and various other community and church organizations.
Hiddleson, a senior at Cleveland High School, is the son of Vic and Gayle Hiddleson.
He is ranked first of 287 and maintains a 4.0 GPA. Hiddleson is a member of the National Honor Society, a Raider Scholar, a Tennessee Scholar, and is presently dual-enrolled at Lee University. He represents the varsity baseball and basketball teams, is a member of the FCA and serves as secretary/treasurer for the Beta Club. Hiddleson was recently awarded the Good Citizenship Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Webb, a senior at Walker Valley High School, is the daughter of Scott and Jessica Webb.
She is ranked 26 of 323, maintaining a GPA of 3.9. Webb is currently the president of Anchor Club, National Honor Society, and Student Government. She is also the Community Service Coordinator for FBLA, and a Tennessee Scholar. Webb has been active in choir, drama, FCA, DECA and Color Guard.
The Rymer Silver Scholarship winners are Jami Erin Gibson, Briley Elizabeth Johnson and Ariana Sabré Kim.
Gibson, a senior at Walker Valley High School, is the daughter of Jim and Mary Beth Gibson.
She is ranked 7 of 323 and carries a 4.0 GPA. Gibson has been a member of the National Honor Society, FCA and the First Baptist Youth Leadership Team for two years. She has served her school’s Student Government as Senior Class Secretary, and led tours for Walker Valley parents and incoming students. Gibson has been active in mission trips to Nicaragua, Ecuador, and a participant for three years with the World Changers Mission.
Johnson is a senior at Bradley Central High School and the daughter of Richard and Trena Johnson.
She is ranked 50 of 390 and holds a 3.8 GPA. She has served four years on Student Government while also serving as vice president of the school’s DECA chapter, the international association of marketing students. Johnson has been a member of the Beta Club and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and participated in Lee University’s Summer Honors program. Johnson is a member of the National Honor Society, a Tennessee Scholar, and a Bear Scholar, while actively involved in community and church-related activities.
Kim is a senior at Cleveland High School and the daughter of Kile and Ramona Kim.
She is ranked first of 280, with a 4.0 GPA. Kim presently holds offices in the National Honor Society, Beta Club and Anchor Club. Kim is a Tennessee Scholar, a Raider Scholar and an editor for the yearbook. Kim has been honored as a Distinguished Young Woman of Cleveland, winning the Overall Scholastic Award and Talent Award. Kim is heavily involved in community and church-related activities.
Recipients of the Rymer Bronze Scholarship are Abigail Elena Boltniew, Caitlin Lee Geren and Tiffany Brianne Summers.
Boltniew, a senior at Bradley Central High School, is the daughter of Victor and Karen Boltniew.
Currently ranked first out of 390, she is valedictorian, senior class president, and has a GPA of 4.0. Boltniew serves on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee, as well as Student Council. She is a member of the FCA and the National Honor Society. Boltniew attends First Baptist of Cleveland and is a volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, and the Rotary Club.
Geren, a senior at Walker Valley High School, is the daughter of David and Caroline Geren.
Geren is ranked second of 323, with a GPA of 4.0. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Tennessee Scholars, and FBLA. Geren is captain and award-winning member of Walker Valley’s volleyball team. Geren is a member of Charleston First Baptist where she has assisted with Vacation Bible School, as well as a volunteer for many community and other church-related activities.
Summers, a senior at Cleveland High School, is the daughter of Brian and Cynthia Summers.
She is ranked first of 280, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She is secretary of Beta Club and a member of Health Occupations Students of America. Summers has won the HOSA Regional Medical Spelling Competition twice, earning fifth place in the state. She is a Wesleyan Graduate of Distinction, a Raider Scholar, and a member of the National Honor Society. Summers is a musician and active volunteer in her church worship band and community.
Lee President Dr. Paul Conn and the principals of Cleveland, Bradley Central, and Walker Valley High Schools selected faculty representatives to serve on the scholarship selection committee.
The committee conducted individual interviews with finalists to designate honorees. Each was selected based on their leadership in extracurricular, athletic and church-based activities; high school rank and grade point average; College Board exam scores; and personal interviews.
