Features Editor

Aug. 21, 2000 10 PM

The Pike County Cattlewomen continued their support of Pike County youth by presenting three scholarships in the name of the late Winnie Lee, a former Cowbell and Cattlewoman. Scholarships were awarded for the fall semester to Matt Wilson, Kellie Henderson and Robbie Price.

Betty Hixon, president of the Cattlewomen, said the memorial scholarships are awarded each year to deserving young people who have displayed outstanding leadership skills and achieved academic excellence.

"All three of our recipients are outstanding young people who will be a credit to their chosen professions and leaders in their communities," Hixon said. "We are proud of them and their accomplishments and their commitment to excellence. We are happy to award the Winnie Lee Memorial Scholarship to them."

Matt Wilson has attended Troy State University and will complete an undergraduate degree in agricultural engineering at Auburn University.

Matt’s dad, Mike, has been farming for about 30 years, so Matt grew up on the farm. Whether he inherited the love of farming from his dad or whether he "cultivated" it, he’s not sure.

"Once farming gets in your blood, I’m not sure it ever gets completely out," Matt said.

"I may not actually farm myself, although I’ll probably always have cows, but I want to be involved in some phase of agriculture no matter what."

Matt chose agricultural engineering because he said it is board based.

"There are so many directions you can go with that degree," he said. "It’s not limiting and that’s what I want. I’ll be in good shape for job opportunities in different markets – hopefully somewhere in the Wiregrass. I don’t want to go too far away."

Matt doesn’t want to go too far from home or from the farm. Whatever the workplace, he said there’s no place like the farm.

Kellie Davis Henderson also grew up on a farm but not on a row crop farm like Matt. She grew up in the country and the horses in the barn gave her home the flavor of a farm.

"My parents have always loved horses," Kellie said. "I enjoy riding, too, and I was involved in 4-H and worked on projects that were farm related. But, what I want to do with my life is teach."

Kellie said her love of reading and pleasure in learning were the keys that unlocked the door to her future.

"My parents always read to me and my mother really encouraged me to read," she said. "I want to instill that love of reading in children so they can get pleasure from it just like I did – like I do."

Kellie is a senior at Troy State University majoring in secondary English and language arts education. She hopes to teach literature in the higher grades and also speech, journalism and drama, when given the opportunity.

"I take education seriously and I’m looking forward to working with young people and having a positive influence on their lives," she said.

Robbie Price is the youngest of the scholarship recipients. He is a freshman at Troy State and wants to become a computer programmer.

"I got interested in computers by piddling around with a friend who is very good on them," Robbie said. "The more I learned about computers the more I wanted to know."

Robbie grew up in the Monticello community and he knows a lot about farming. In fact, in knows so much that he doesn’t want to take it on as a career.

"It’s gotten where farmers have so many bad years – and they come in a row," he said. "This year has been especially bad for corn, cotton, peanuts and even cows. I just think I would rather do something else and computers seem to be here to stay."

Robbie plans to get minors in business and criminal justice and, perhaps a master’s degree in math.

Then, he will have all the bases covered for what he hopes will be a successful career in the business world. But no matter where he puts down his professional feet, Robbie plans to be involved in the community. He played baseball at Pike County High School and being a youth baseball coach would be a

perfect fit for him.

The three youths expressed appreciation to the Pike County Cattlewomen’s Association for their confidence in them individually and their support of youth in general.

Proud parents are Mike and Debbie Wilson, Anita Walker and Bobby Price and Lamar and Debra Davis. Kellie’s husband, Richard Henderson, is equally proud.