The Wadie B. Davis Sr. Foundation named Bianca Perkins of Hamilton County the recipient of its $500 scholarship during the foundation’s banquet on Friday.

Although being a Bradley County resident is a prerequisite for the foundation’s scholarship, the scholarship committee made an exception since Perkins is active in the Bradley County community and has many family members here.

Perkins was born in Bradley County and attended elementary school here.

“My senior year has been the most challenging year of my life,” Perkins said in her application essay.

In the essay, Perkins outlined the struggles of her mother’s fight with cancer, while telling her goals for the future.

Perkins plans to attend the University of Tennessee Knoxville. After completeing her undergraduate degree, Perkins hopes to attend law school.

“My goal is to become a corporate lawyer focusing on transactional business,” Perkins said in her application essay.

Perkins said her mother “has finished treatment and is doing well,” but the treatment costs make the scholarship more important.

Also during the banquet foundation president Rodney Davis presented two $250 scholarships from Davis Construction. The recipients of these scholarships were Shun Qualls and Michele Hammonds.

Hammonds, who is a secretary at Davis Construction, is attending Cleveland State Community College. Qualls was unable to attend the banquet.

In his scholarship application, Qualls emphasized the traits needed to make a difference.

The Wadie B. Davis Sr. Foundation was started by Rodney Davis “to support those that are in need of financial assistance with attending college in the business/construction field, needs of home repair and youth sports participation.”

The foundation is dedicated to the memory of the founder’s father and the life he lived.