2016 Ken Bower Scholarship recipients announced

Five Teacher Cadets awarded from across the state

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 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 the epitome of exemplary future teachers, and I look forward to welcoming these South Carolina homegrown teachers to the ranks of our state’s stellar educators,” notes Marcella Wine-Snyder, Program Director for the Teacher Cadet Program. “For thirty years now, South Carolina’s Teacher Cadet Program has endeavored to support education’s ubiquitous goal of providing high quality schools for all children in all neighborhoods by attracting the state’s best and brightest students to the teaching profession.”

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, 2016 recipients will receive a one-time award of $1,000. The award is mailed directly to the recipient’s college before August 1 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.

2016 Ken Bower Scholarship Recipients

Mary Bruns is a student at Beaufort High School located in Beaufort, SC where she is a Teacher Cadet under the instruction of Deborah Kidd. She is an honors and AP student and takes dual enrollment classes at the Technical College of the Lowcountry. She participates in National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Project Unify, tennis, and soccer. Mary spends time at her church as a middle school youth group leader volunteer, teaching kids about their faith. Mary will be attending the College of Charleston and majoring in secondary English education.

Kaitlin Hutson is a senior at Williston-Elko High School in Williston, South Carolina. She is president of her senior class, her school’s National Honor Society and also Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She participates in many other clubs including: Beta Club, Club Truth, Math Team, Spanish Club and many others. She enjoys playing tennis and has played since the seventh grade. She plans on attending the University of South Carolina – Aiken where she will major in early childhood education.

Catherine Anne Langley is slated to graduate with highest honors from Buford High School in Lancaster, South Carolina where she will be a completer in the teacher education program under Elizabeth McDonald. She is an active member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, Educator’s Rising, Student Council, Junior Civitans, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is a graduate of Youth Leadership Lancaster.  She was first-runner up Homecoming Queen and first runner-up Miss Buford. Catherine Anne also served on the yearbook staff and prom committee and was a daily volunteer in the special needs class at Buford Middle School. While balancing school responsibilities, Catherine Anne is employed by Chick-fil-A and was recently promoted to the position of marketing assistant. Her passion is helping others, especially conducting Vacation Bible School for children in Appalachia each summer. Catherine Anne will attend Winthrop University in August and major in early childhood education.

Diamond Sullivan is a senior at Calhoun County High School in St. Matthews, SC. She has been in the Teacher Cadet program for two consecutive years and has done her field study with elementary students. She has also taken education courses at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and has received her SC Early Childhood Teaching Credential. After graduating, Diamond plans to attend the University of South Carolina – Beaufort to major in early childhood education. She aspires to become an independent teacher and continue to earn her doctorate in education to become a college professor.

Sara Vess will be graduating from Indian Land High School where she invested her time into academics and various student teaching experiences. One of Sara’s favorite classes in high school is her Teacher Cadet course. She completed her student teaching experience at Harrisburg Elementary School in a third-fifth grade special education classroom. Sara is currently employed at a local elementary school where she serves as the teacher for second-graders enrolled in an after-school program. Sara is very involved at her high school. She is a member of the Varsity Cheer Team and serves as the secretary for the Student Government Association and the Educators Rising club. She enjoys being a small group leader of Indian Land’s FCA. Sara will be attending the University of South Carolina where she intends to major in early elementary education.