MADISON, TN, A warm welcome from Kiwanis member, Mark North, set the tone for an awards luncheon hosted by the club to honor scholarship recipients at Wednesday’s (April 11th) 12-noon weekly meeting. “There are a lot of things I do as a member of the school board,” said North, “but none matches my being able to sit on stage during our May graduation ceremonies and watch students end one chapter to begin an even more exciting academic journey. Today, I wear three hats: one as a member of this great club, a second as a member of the board, and finally, the best hat of all, as the father of a scholarship recipient. It just doesn’t get any better than this.” With that, students were called to the front of the conference room, filled to overflowing with honored students and their families, school (Hunter’s Lane, Goodpasture, Davidson Academy, and Martin Luther King) guidance counselors and other representatives, additional school board members, as well as Kiwanis Clubbers, to officially accept their scholarships.

Following is a list of the 2012 Kiwanis Club of Madison TN scholarship awardees:

Cayce Armstrong, Hunter’s Lane Comprehensive High School: The son of Patrick Armstrong and Robin Randolph, Cayce plans to major in Environmental Science at Tennessee Tech University in the fall. His student activities have included membership in the Distribution Education Clubs of America, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Staff, and the BETA club. During her high school years, Cayce was also a member of the Rifle Team, and he served as Color Guard Commander for three grades. In his spare time, Cayce has volunteered at the Explore Post, the Metro Health Department, and the American Red Cross.

Christopher R. Brightwell, Goodpasture Christian School: Christopher is the son of Randy and Jeanna Brightwell. Tennessee Technological University will welcome this young man into its engineering program later this year. Christopher’s honors and awards list includes a National Honor Society membership, and service as captain of the Varsity Soccer Club and as an officer of the Recruiter Fellowship of Christian Athletes. A member of Goodpasture’s Cougar Marching Band and the All Mid- State Honor Band, Christopher has also found time to volunteer with the East Nashville Cooperative Ministry, Second Harvest Food Bank, Room in the Inn Ministries, and Feed the Children. In July, Christopher will travel to Haiti as part of the work and witness team of the Church of the Nazarene to complete the rebuilding of a church.

Allyson Burgess, Davidson Academy: The daughter of Bruce and Robin Burgess, Allyson will attend Depaul University in the Fall 2012, with her focus set on studying International Business. Allyson’s membership and leadership milestones have been varied: Key Club member, weekly contributor to Bear Facts, President of 10th grade class, Vice-President of Student Council, Varsity Cross Country, Varsity Tennis, National Junior Honor Society, Basketball Cheerleader, Youth in Government Delegate, and Theatre/Drama (actress and stage manager). Allyson has also volunteered with Hands on Nashville, Edgehill Community Center, Metro Council Elections, Under the Bridge, Shoes for Haiti, Food Relief, Second Harvest, and the Book ‘em organization.

Lauren Cassetty, Davidson Academy: Clint and Gretchen Cassetty are the parents of Lauren, who will be a student in Lipscomb University’s nursing program this fall. A community activist through her involvement with a Reelfoot Lake Mission trip, Homebound Meals, the H2O Project for Clean Water Wells, Nashville Flood Relief, Lakota Indian Reservation (South Dakota) Mission trip, In His Name Service Club, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Association, Room in the Inn, and the Salvation Army, Lauren has also been a high-achiever student: National Junior Honor Society president, Varsity Volleyball Co-Captain, Culinary Club Secretary, Class Officer (President, Secretary), Student Body Secretary, and Mu Alpha Theta president.

Benjamin Coleman, Davidson Academy: Benjamin is the son of Ken and Missi Coleman, and come September, they will send their son off to Samford University to work toward a degree in communications or computer science. Benjamin will take with him the following academic and athletic achievements: membership in the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Model United Nations; Varsity Football and Soccer, and Athletic Award of Merit (Soccer). His civic activities have included service as a Camp Coach for Grace Baptist Church Soccer, food distribution for the Orlando Homeless Shelter, participation in World Changers (Missouri, Louisiana), plus a ministry to homeless and impoverished teenagers through Club 180 (KY).

Dominque Elliott, Hunter’s Lane Comprehensive High School: Dominique is the daughter of Cedric Saine and Angienette Parker, and she will be attending Western Kentucky University, with her focus on Nursing. Dominique counts membership in the National Honors Society and the MYP Program among her many accomplishments. She has also participated in community activities including an MLD Youth Rally March, Salvation Army/Angel Tree, Oasis Center/Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, and the 3rd Annual Youth Activities and Job Readiness Fair. Dominique is already CPR certified, a real plus considering her interest in nursing.

Emily Locke, Davidson Academy: Emily’s parents are David and Chanvilay Locke. She will attend Belmont University with an intended major in pre-pharmacy beginning this fall. Emily’s awards include AP Scholar, Senior Superlative Most Likely to Succeed, Headmaster’s List, Pre-Calculus Honors, World History Honors, Chemistry Honors, Advanced Placement United States History, Athletic Achievement Wards as Varsity Men’s Soccer Manager, Executive Women’s International Scholarship nominee, and Xtreme Bible Challenge Grand Division Winner and State Winner. She has also performed community service during mission trips to New Orleans, Cleveland (TN), and Brazil, and volunteered at the Nashville Rescue Mission and Vacation Bible School.

Robin Lee, Davidson Academy: Shawn and Kim Lee are the proud parents of Robin, who will be attending college (undecided) in the fall, with a major in Comparative Literature. During her high school career, Robin has received the National Merit Scholarship Commended Student, Algebra II Honors Award, the AP Scholar Award, as well as the AP English Literature and Composition Award. In her spare time, Robin has volunteered with the Tennessee Children Welcome the Candidates Event, been a Nashville Bar-b-que Festival and Nashville Schools Fair worker, participated in mission trips to Perry County and Louisiana, and clocked in for both the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and Not For Sale Walk.

Jianne McDonald, Martin Luther King Magnet: The daughter of Michael McGee and Lisa McDonald-McGee, Jianne will be attending Lipscomb University, majoring in English in the fall. Her honors include membership in the National Beta Club and the National Honor Society, and she currently sits on the Mayor’s Youth Council. Jianne has also served as a member of the Director’s Student Advisory Council, Teens Making A Change, Top Teens of America (Inc.), and the YMC Young Black Achievers. Jianne’s community activities have positively impacted Feed the Children, Toys for Tots, the MLK Annual Canned Food Drive, Pennies for Patients, and the Samaritan House Ministries.

Lara North, Hume Fogg Academic High School: Lara is the daughter of Mark and Kristin North. UT Knoxville is Lara’s destination this fall, where she will dig into studies for communication disorders (speech pathology/therapy). Lara’s extra-curricular activities have included Varsity Soccer, Key Club (presidency), Helping Hands, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Spanish Honor Society, the Red Cross Club, National Honor Society, and the HFA Step Club. Lara has been active throughout the community through her volunteerism efforts via Clara’s Closet, Ambassadors Formalwear by Gilda Social Graces, and Neely’s Bend Church of Christ puppet ministry.

Porsha Owens, Hunter’s Lane Comprehensive High School: Jon Rucks and Tiffany Simmons are the parents of Porsha, who will also be a student at UT Knoxville in Fall 2012. Porsha’s goal is to be a nurse, and she already has a solid foundation built through her community services with Hands on Nashville/LP Pencil Box, National Science Teachers Association, Race for the Cure Cancer (Walk), and the Kiwanis Club of Madison TN (Fund-raising Pancake Breakfast). Throughout her years in high school, Porsha has claimed honors as an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate and as a member of the National Honor Society.

Natalie Perry, Goodpasture Christian School: Natalie is the daughter of Mike and Cheryl Perry, and they will be sending Natalie to Lipscomb University in the fall to study nursing. Natalie has amassed achievements and honors throughout her high school years as a volunteer for Girls State, an officer of the Beta Club, a page for the Tennessee House of Representatives, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and as the best plaintiff attorney in the Mock Trial District Competition. Her community service credits include volunteerism with the Old Hickory Branch Library, Second Harvest Food Bank, Goodpasture Food Drive, Room in the Inn, Nashville Flood Relief, the Pregnancy Center in Mt. Juliet, and the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief (Tuscaloosa, AL).

Megan Randolph, Goodpasture Christian School: It’s a toss-up between Samford University and Tennessee Tech for this young lady who is planning to major in Pre-Physical Therapy or Animal Science. Parents, Todd and Susie Randolph, will send Megan off to college this fall, secure in the knowledge that she has proven herself over and over as an exceptional student: chosen as Valedictorian, nominated for Girl’s State, nominated for National Youth Leadership Forum, elected to participate in the Madison Leadership Program, awarded for top grade in AP World History and AP Psychology. Megan has also volunteered with the Eastfield Benevolence Center, Room in the Inn, the Ronald McDonald House, Soles for Souls, and Nashville Flood Relief.

Colton Sweet, Goodpasture Christian School: Parents, Jeff and Darlene Sweet, are already anticipating a fall exodus for Colton, as he makes his way to Bethel University to study Business/ Sports Management. Colton takes with him a solid background in sports, through his participation in baseball and basketball. His service work throughout the community should also place him in good standing, as well: member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, volunteer for Room in the Inn, leader of devotionals at the Maybelle Carter Retirement Home, and member of a New York Mission group.

Lamesha Wells, Hunter’s Lane Comprehensive High School: A soonto- be Belmont University student in Business Administration, Lamesha has been an active volunteer within her community for the past four years: Kiwanis Club of Madison TN (pancake breakfast), Adventure Science Center, Salvation Army, LP Pencil Box, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Walk to End Alzheimer’s, National Science Teachers Association, and Bellshire Element Pre-K Life Skills Program. Mom Catina Wells can also be proud of Lamesha’s academic accomplishments: National Honor Society, International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, International Baccalaureate MYP Program, Honor Roll, National Beta Club, Key Club, Bowling and Cheerleading Teams.

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