Rascoe, Stone win Colley Scholarships

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

May 17, 2000 10 PM

Charles Henderson High School seniors Lauren Stone and Aaron Rascoe have been named winners of the J.O. "Tip" Colley Scholastic Christian Athletic scholarships for this year.

Presented by the Troy Civitan Club, the scholarships are awarded to recognize outstanding Christian students athletes from the senior classes of Pike County’s four high schools.

The $1,000 scholarships are given in memory of Colley, who was a long-time supporter of the county’s youth.

Stone plans to use the scholarship at Auburn University or Troy State University, while Rascoe plans to go to Troy State.

Rascoe is the son of the Rev. Steve and Jan Rascoe and is a member of Park Memorial United Methodist Church. He has served as senior class president, been selected for Who’s Who, president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a member of the National Honor Society and Interact, vice president of SADD, on the JROTC rifle team, Igthus Christian Club, Hi-Y, HOSA, Art Guild, Latin Club and is an Eagle Scout.

The daughter of Bill and Lynne Stone is a member of First United Methodist Church in Troy. She is ranked seventh in her class of 122, a member of the National Honor Society, has been named to the A Honor Roll, received academic letters for the highest average in English and chemistry, served as on the Student Government Association, was inducted into Mu Alpha Theta math honorary, is a member of the Interact Club, was co-captain of the varsity cheerleading squad, was a World Cheerleading Association individual All American nominee, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Hi-Y.

Along with the Green Davis Citizenship Award given to Adam Sanders of Pike Liberal Arts School, the club’s scholarships pay tribute to those "who refuse to be average" and excel in the classroom, on the playing field or court and also have time to give back to the community, while living a Christian life.

During the Tuesday night banquet, Mark Jackson, assistant director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Alabama, challenged the graduating seniors and Colley nominees to live the life of a Christian.

Talking about "excellence," Jackson reminded the students and guests that a committment to excellence shows through how an individual acts.

Jackson was not a Christian during his college years and it wasn’t until he was a high school baseball coach that "God whispered" in his ear.

It was during a time of grief after losing his three-day-old daughter that Jackson was led to God by a fellow Troy State University alumnus.

That was when he dedicated his life to God and Christ and strived to live in excellence.

As a coach and father he was constantly reminded that his actions were being mimicked.

"We need to make a committment in how we act because there are always kids watching us," Jackson said.

For that reason and many others, it’s important to "act like a Christian," he said.

There was a time that God spoke to his heart and said, "If you’re going to call yourself a Christian, Mark, I need you to act like a Christian."

Because of their actions the 28 seniors were nominated and Jackson encouraged them to follow on the same path as they go to college and prepare for the rest of their lives.

Other nominees for the scholarships were: Andrea Bailey of Pike County High School, Jennifer Boutwell of CHHS, Christy Bradley of CHHS, Jonathan Catrett of Goshen High School, Emily Christian of CHHS, Andrea Domizio of CHHS, Kayla Ellis of GHS, Ashlee Faust of CHHS, Curt Garrett of PLAS, Emily Gaskin of CHHS, Karri Graddy of CHHS, Blane Gralheer Jr. of CHHS, Jennifer Hall of CHHS, Joey Hollis of CHHS, Reid Jones of PLAS, Jared Kelly of CHHS, Taurus Myhand of PCHS, Shatarra Pelton of GHS, Amanda Pruitt of CHHS, Fran Renfroe of CHHS, Erica Shepherd of GHS, Joshua Waldrop of PLAS, Ben Wallace of PLAS, Clint Wallace of PLAS, Shaunna Wheeler of PLAS and Betsy White of CHHS.