Rotary awards four scholarships

Vici Papajohn/Gulf Breeze News Chad Rich (far left) and Ed Gray (far right) congratulate the five scholars, their parents and GBHS staff, above. Joy Bunting, GBHS, Mary Ham, Cheree Suttles, Bill Weatherall, Ashley Weatherall, Cindy Weatherall, Emmalyn Daniel, Mrs. Daniel, Danica Bowman and Marina Bowman (left to right).

Gulf Breeze Rotary awarded four $5,000 scholarships this month, bringing the total in scholarships awarded to date to over $30,000.

"Emmalynn Daniel is an excellent athlete who plays soccer year-round," praised Rotarian Cherry Fitch. "She is focused and self-disciplined, intelligent and goal oriented. She lived in a "FEMA trailer after the hurricanes, but that only seemed to make her stronger and more resilient." Daniel is an honors student at Gulf Breeze High School (GBHS), attends PJC under the early admissions option, is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and maintains a 3.4 grade point average (g.p.a.). She plans to obtain a degree in Elementary Education, and has already worked in the classroom at Oriole Beach Elementary School with Kindergarteners and third grade students.

Mary Cheree Suttles received the scholarship recently named in honor of long-time GBHS Guidance Counselor Tom Williams. Suttles is a four-year member of Key Club and Student Council and serves on Teen Board and Year Book. She is the president of National Honor Society. Voted most Likely to Succeed by the senior class of 2007, Suttles has participated in the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership World Conference, People to People student ambassadors, Senate Page Program, Presidential Classroom, Relay for Life, Mall Ball Steering Committee, PTSO and Special Olympics. Suttles won the Florida History Fair as a Junior and Senior and placed second as a Junior at the National History Fair and won the blue ribbon in her senior year. "Truly am amazing young lady," summarized Fitch. "she already has been accepted to Florida and still has some irons in the fire. Cheree plans to study political science and history and then pursue a degree in law."

Ashley Weatherall has been a member of FCA, Key Club, Keyettes, Junior Statesmen of America and is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, NationalArt Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor society. She volunteers at church and in the community, and has coached GBSA cheerleading. She was a cheerleader at GBHS 9th through 11th grade, and joined the dance team her senior year. She is an honors student and was named a distinguished AP student after passing all of her Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Weatherall plans to attend the University of Florida to study Education or pre law. "Ashley is friendly, polite and well liked and respected by faculty and peers," Fitch expounded. "She has a kind heart and leads by example - she has an amazing ability to put those around her at ease."

Danica Bowman will graduate in May from GBHS with her peers, but she will also receive an Associates of Arts degree from Pensacola Junior College (PJC).She plans to attend Florida State University in the fall where she will enroll as a junior. "Danica is not only motivated and committed, she has the sweetest spirit," Fitch said as she presented the award. "She leads worship at FCA and also teaches guitar to girls she mentors at school and in church. She recently was named the 'Spirit of Junior Miss Award' winner at the Florida Junior Miss competition. She is a sweet and wonderful young lady." Bowman also held down two jobs while keeping her grade point average well above a 3.0.

The Rotary Scholarships are funded by club fundraisers and Jim Reeves funds one half of one scholarship each year by matching club funds. The Brodie family also endowed one of the scholarships.