The Pigeon Forge Rotary Club works diligently on its annual craft show during the month of October, and in the springtime the purpose of its efforts becomes clear. At the regular scheduled meeting held May 21, using funds raised through the craft show, the Pigeon Forge Rotary Club presented scholarships in the amount of $1,250 each to 12 high school students.
“I am absolutely thrilled that Pigeon Forge Rotary Club has continued our long tradition of awarding scholarships to deserving young people from Pigeon Forge,” stated Greg Johnson, PF Rotary Club president. “Again this year, we had exceptional candidates and the selection process was as tough as ever. The winners of this year’s scholarships can take great pride in the fact that they were selected after a rigorous process against very, very stiff competitors. Congratulations to all of them. They have already represented themselves, their families, their schools, their teachers and their community extremely well during their high school careers. We look forward to great things in the future from each and every one of them.”
Scholarship recipients from Sevier County High School include Chasity Christine Gibbs and Ryan Blake Watson.
Recipients from Gatlinburg-Pittman High School include Laurel Brooke Gabel and Weston Douglas Turner.
Weston Turner from GPHS was chosen to be the recipient of the Delmar Dennis Scholarship. “The selection committee was impressed with Weston’s strength in character and perseverance,” said Kay Powell, chair of the scholarship committee and assistant director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. “We feel he embodies ideals that would have been near to Delmar’s heart.”
“I’m especially proud of our recipients from Pigeon Forge High School. This is the very first graduating class from that school,” added Johnson. These deserving students are Eric Matthew Reinhardt, Anna Marie Smith, Tymri Alicia Whitted, Jared Russell Maxwell, William Arlie Brown, Christopher William Hampton, Mahin “Opie” Sarker, and Esther Jane Wolf. One of these recipients, Eric Reinhardt was named the winner of the newly created “Buck Cowart Scholarship.”
This scholarship was named for this long-time Rotarian who served his community in a selfless manner for many years.
“Delmar Dennis and Buck Cowart were great Americans, and well-respected members of our community,” stated Powell. “Both gentlemen clearly represented our motto: ‘Service Above Self.’”
“These scholarship recipients and all the seniors at Pigeon Forge High School can go forward to the rest of their lives knowing that they have been a part of something special and have helped lay a strong and lasting foundation for a future of greatness at Pigeon Forge High School,” Johnson continued.
“The members of the Pigeon Forge Rotary Club have been involved since day one at PFHS as a club, as parents, as volunteers, and as community members. We have had the privilege of seeing the administration, staff and students roll up their sleeves and do the hard work of building something from nothing. Pigeon Forge High School is already excelling in academics, athletics, the arts and community service in only four short years,” Johnson concluded.

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