Scholarship recipient saved from being ‘hopeless and toothless’

ROGERS —  The Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County hosted its 28th annual celebratory reception, dinner and program Thursday evening (Aug. 16) at the Embassy Suites of Northwest Arkansas. Judy Hammond and Julia Amos were co-chairmen of the event, which was presented by Walmart/Sam’s Club and Arvest.

The theme of this year’s benefit was “Enriching Lives and the Community.” The event honored 150 single parent students, all of whom received a scholarship and were lauded for their academic achievements. In the spirit of this theme, a current student, an alumna of the program and a child of a participant spoke at the reception.

“I came to a point in my life where I had done nothing I had dreamed of,” said student Sherri Hoover. Prior to entering the SPSF program, Hoover had four children and had spent more than a decade working in a factory.

"There was no hope for the future, and I felt alone," she said. “[SPSF] helped me by providing everything from counseling, to [even] toilet paper sometimes, to the courage to go on." She said she believes that the encouragement from those who run the program was the key to her success.

"Your belief in me has given me a second chance.”

Nichole Mannion, an alumna of the program, graduated from Northwest Arkansas Community College in 2003 and the University of Arkansas in 2007. Since then, she's been teaching and providing for her son, Chandler Morris. Mannion said one of the greatest accomplishments she achieved through the program was providing a better life for her family than she had growing up.

"If my life had gone like my family’s, I would have dropped out of high school. College would not have been an option," she said. "I would’ve become a drug addict, probably been working at Burger King and living in a trailer park, living on government aid.

"I probably would’ve been hopeless and toothless."

Instead, the SPSF of Benton County became her family. She teaches family and consumer science to help others realize her dream of having a good home life.

"My mom has always told me that I have to go to college and that I have to be on the honor roll," said Chandler Morris, Mannion's son. "She made me start saving money for college when I was 7 years old." His dream is to work in the medical field.

Taylor Gordy, a member on the SPSF board of directors said the best thing about the benefit is being able to witness the immediate impact. Supporter can meet the students they are helping.

"Each of these students is someone in our neighborhood," he said. “It’s nice to find a way to help them.”

Dr. Becky Paneitz, president at Northwest Arkansas Community College, was recognized for her service to the organization.

"Dr. Paneitz has been committed to this program ever since arriving at NWACC,” said Jay H. Elliott, chairman of the SPSF of Benton County board of directors. “Your leadership has undoubtedly impacted the lives of our students.”

Award highlights

• Candace McKinnley was presented the Shirley Sutton Award for empathy and understanding.
• Rachel Adair received the Pat Reid Award for willingly serving others.
• Kristi Mitchell was presented with the Ladonna Penner Servant Leader Award.
• Angie Thompson was presented with the Jami Jensen Award, the Volunteer Scholarship.

This year's John and Evie Tate Scholars are Brian Evans and Sandra Weidman. Martha Rose Scholars were Crystal Arredondo, Kelly Burton, Celeste Surrano, Cindy Vetor and Moriah Johnson. Carmen Milligan is the 2012 Win Small Business Scholar, and the 2012 Ralph K. Porch Volunteerism Scholar is Hilda Hinchcliffe.