Lamar-Delta Retired Teachers award scholarships to PJC students
Published or Revised May 02, 2014
Kerri Anderson from Roxton High School, Hailey Ray from Prairiland high School, and Dayton Thibodeaux from North Lamar High School were presented with $1,000 scholarships to Paris Junior College by the Lamar-Delta Retired Teachers & School Employees Association at a luncheon on April 28. The scholarship is awarded to a senior in public school in Lamar or Delta counties who plans to pursue the field of education at Paris Junior College. From left are Ray, Thibodeaux, Scholarship Committee Chair Flo Plummer and Anderson.
Three area high school students received Lamar-Delta Retired Teachers and School Employees Association scholarships at the organization’s spring luncheon held at the Paris Junior College Ballroom. The $1,000 scholarships are awarded to seniors in public school in Lamar or Delta counties who plan to pursue the field of education at Paris Junior College.
“One of our aims is to support all of our ISDs in Lamar and Delta counties,” said association president Paul Payne, “We believe in scholarships for our young people and this and our children’s book project are how we support the schools and young people.”
Receiving their awards from Scholarship Committee Chairman Flo Plummer were Kerri Anderson, Hailey Ray and Dayton Thibodeaux.
Kerri Anderson attends Roxton High School, and is the daughter of Rusty Anderson and Cindy Daniel. She has participated and received awards in basketball, softball (MVP and Second Team All District), UIL, FFA, and yearbook.
“When I become a teacher I hope to help children learn more than information,” Anderson said. “I want them to learn valuable lessons that will help them to be successful in life. I want them to know that they can accomplish anything they put their minds to. After all, it is the teacher relationships that are remembered, not a2+b2=c2.”
Hailey Ray is from Prairiland High School, and is the daughter of Mandy and Chuck Ray. Her activities include: officer in Beta Club; yearbook editor; Student Council; state qualifier in FFA; and in golf was named MVP twice and was a regional qualifier for three years. She was this year's Homecoming Queen, Miss Prairiland High School, class favorite, class vice-president, February Student of the Month, and state qualifier in Ag Advocacy.
“Through observing, children are inclined to mimic the things they see or hear,” said Ray. “This is why I believe that it takes certain people with passion and drive in their hearts to strive to be the perfect role model or teacher. A teacher is a person who is shaping the future of someone. Hopefully this person is a good strong teacher who desires that her student will learn, and learn to the best of their ability.”
Dayton Thibodeaux attends North Lamar High School, and is the son of Shielia Perry. His activities include: speech and debate; choir (chamber); Beta Club; Texas Association of Future Educators; peer mentoring, and student assistant. His awards and honors include: D.A.R. Good Citizen; NSHS Ambassador; USAA Minority Leadership Award; National Forensics League Award Of Distinction; Class of 2014 President; Choir Department President; National Beta Club President; T.A.F.E. President; and a Rotary Youth Leadership award candidate.
“My passion for teaching is immense, and I believe in being the teacher that could make a difference in a child’s life,” Thibodeaux said. “Because you never know if you, the teacher, are the only person who they look up to and give them inspiration. My aspiration in life is to be able to be the one that makes a difference in a child's life… All students have the capability of being taught. However, we must plant the metaphoric seed of life within our students.”
The honorees and their families were guests at the luncheon and award presentation.
