2014 Ken Bower Scholarship Recipients Announced
June 5, 2014
COLUMBIA, SC -The Ken Bower Teacher Cadet Scholarship, named in memory of Dr. Ken Bower, an architect of the original Teacher Cadet course and curriculum, is awarded each year to as many as six senior Teacher Cadets who intend to become a classroom teacher in one of South Carolina’s many public schools.
“The recipients of the Ken Bower Teacher Cadet Scholarship are among South Carolina’s most stellar students who have recognized and embraced their passion for teaching and working with children,“ notes Marcella Wine-Snyder, Program Director for the Teacher Cadet Program. “It will indeed be an honor to welcome these exemplary students to the teaching profession after their program of study is completed at one of the teacher education institutions in South Carolina.”
Teacher Cadet instructors receive notification of the call for applications early each calendar year and all senior Teacher Cadets are eligible to apply. Thanks to the generosity of silent auction “shoppers” at two CERRA conferences and other donors who support the Teacher Cadet program, 2014 recipients will receive a one-time award of $500. The award is mailed directly to the recipient’s college before August 1st and is applied to his or her account. Awards are determined based on the merits of scholarship, teacher recommendations, and a written essay. The Ken Bower Teacher Cadet Scholarship is not “needs-based” and does not rely on the financial information of the Teacher Cadet’s family. Teaching Fellows may also be recipients of the Ken Bower Scholarship.
Andrew Davis is a recent graduate of Wade Hampton High School where he was a Teacher Cadet, Honors, and A.P. student. He was also enrolled through USC-Salkehatchie. He was a member of the BETA Club, Student Council, and Drama Club. He was selected as a USC-Aiken Scholar and participated in Palmetto Boys State. He is an active volunteer for the Hampton County Relay for Life and Watermelon Festival. Andrew has been selected as a 2014 SC Teaching Fellow at Winthrop University where he will seek dual certification in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. His Teacher Cadet instructor was Barbara Pauls.
Patience Kearse, Patience Breanda Kearse is a graduate of Eastside High School located in Taylors. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Society of High School Scholars, the Beta Club, the Spanish Club, and the Spanish Honor Society of which she serves as Vice President. She is also a member of the Eastside Honors Concert Choir, the Greenville County School District Honors Choir, and serves as captain of the Eastside High School Xclusive Step Team. During her entire school career, Patience has maintained perfect attendance by never missing a single day of school. She is a volunteer tutor and conflict intervention counselor for low income, “at risk” children. Patience will be attending Clemson University as a Secondary Education Social Studies-History major. Her Teacher Cadet instructor was Patricia Monteith.
Elizabeth Marks is a former Teacher Cadet at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill. She was active in Junior Civitans (President), Northwestern Olympians (Secretary), Beta Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, FCA, and the Advanced Placement Society. She also was a member of the Troubadours Concert Choir and the Trouveres Chamber Choir. In the community, Elizabeth was an active participant in Young Life and St. John’s UMC Quest Youth, and also sang in the South Carolina United Methodist Youth Choir, the Spirit Singers. Elizabeth has served as a volunteer for Carolina Cross Connection Summer Service and Salkehatchie Summer Service as well as Relay for Life and the JDRF Walk. Elizabeth plans to attend Clemson University in the fall and major in Early Childhood Education. Her Teacher Cadet instructor was Mrs. Patti Tate, the 2012 State Teacher of the Year.
Joshua McCall was a Teacher Cadet of Sumter High School under the instruction of Susan Hilton. Joshua has had a desire to be an educator since second grade and credits his initial passion to his second grade teacher, Ms. Forester. Joshua was a member of the Drama Club at Sumter High for four years. Joshua served on his school’s yearbook staff his sophomore year as a photographer and his junior year as a section editor. Joshua has attended Alice Drive Baptist Church for the past four years. For his last two years of high school, he has excelled at time management with a part time job, dual enrollment and International Baccalaureate classes, and saving time for lasting friendships. In the fall, Joshua will attend the College of Charleston as a Teaching Fellow and Palmetto Fellow with an intended major in Middle Level Education or Secondary English.
Leah McMillan completed her Teacher Cadet program at Dillon High School with Beth Hinson as her instructor. In addition to participating in community and church youth group activities, she served as National Honor Society Parliamentarian and Anchor Club Chaplain. She was a member of the Beta Club, FCA, and the Math & Science Club. She played junior varsity and varsity softball and volleyball, and as a senior in 2014, helped lead her team to the 2A State Softball Championship. Leah has been awarded a Teaching Fellowship and is both a Palmetto Fellow and a Winthrop Fellow. She loves history and wants to inspire her future students to enjoy learning. She will be a History Secondary Education major at Winthrop University.
Caroline Moore is a former Teacher Cadet at Chapin High School. She is an active member of the BETA Club, Junior Civitans, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, and her local youth group. She has been a varsity football athletic trainer for the past two years. She was awarded second runner-up homecoming queen at Chapin. Caroline will be attending Presbyterian College in the fall of 2014 and plans on majoring in early childhood education. Her Teacher Cadet instructor was Brantley Brinkley.
