The Thomas and Bettie O'Briant Memorial Scholarship

Stephanie Blair, 2011 Scholarship Winner

    The Thomas and Bettie O’Briant Memorial scholarship is all about giving back to the young people in our Guilford County community.  Golf tournaments on all levels seek to be involved in community charitable activities.  The Cardinal Amateur has been a leader in this endeavor dating back to 1983 when the first educational scholarship was announced.  The scholarship has grown from a one time $1000 award in 1983 to the current 4 year $1500 award.  A total of $6000 is awarded each year from the scholarship foundation.  The non-profit scholarship is administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro and is open to any rising college freshman graduating from a Guilford County High School.  The award is based primarily on the basis of need.  The Thomas and Bettie O’Briant Memorial Scholarship is funded from proceeds received from the Cardinal Amateur Golf Tournament, a raffle held in conjunction with the golf tournament, as well as corporate and private donations.  To date, 30 students have been awarded $113,000.

 

     The Thomas and Bettie O’Briant Memorial Scholarship selection committee is pleased to present the 2011 recipient, Stephanie Blair.  Stephanie is a recent graduate of High Point Central High School and will attend UNC-Chapel Hill where she hopes to major in political science with a minor in Spanish.  She hopes to someday attend Law School.  While in high school she participated in athletics as part of the track and cross country teams.  She was very involved in all areas of high school and served as a leader of various clubs and organizations including the student council, Beta Club, and the National Honor Society.  Stephanie was an outstanding academic student graduating 1^st  in her class of 254 and receiving numerous academic awards throughout her high school career including completion of the International Baccalaureate Program and graduating  as an AP Scholar with Distinction.  Stephanie served as an intern for 4 summers in the office of Congressman Howard Coble.  She was an active volunteer in our community through her association with her church and Young Life.  Her character and perseverance are best exemplified by her ability to stay focused and committed to her goals during traumatic situations.  Her home was hit by a tornado in March, 2010, and destroyed not only her material belongings, but also her academic work leading up to AP and IB exams.  She remained committed to her studies through this life-changing event.  We know this commitment will serve her well as she begins her college career at the University of North Carolina.

 

           The Thomas and Bettie O’Briant Scholarship selection committee is also pleased to announce the renewal of the scholarships to Amber McGraw (2008) attending NC State, Karley Saffer (2009) attending UNC-Chapel Hill, and Judy Sisouvong (2010) attending NC State University.  Congratulations to all of these outstanding students.

 

     Tax-deductible contributions to the Thomas and Bettie O’Briant Memorial Scholarship can be made at any time throughout the year at the Cardinal Golf and Country Club.   Anyone wishing to make a donation in honor or memory of family or friends is encouraged to consider the Thomas and Bettie O’Briant Memorial Scholarship.

 

Some observations by one of the Fund Directors:

If the Cardinal Amateur is important for no other reason, this scholarship makes it worthwhile.  Involvement in the scholarship fund has been one of the most moving and meaningful endeavors in my life.  In 1983, the organizers of the Cardinal Am began a fund to provide a scholarship to a deserving young person in Guilford County and since that date the tournament has been its primary source of funds.  The most important criteria for this award is need.  It is our desire to make the difference in some young person's life--we look at family finances, work record, extracurricular activities, personal references and volunteer experience when choosing among the many worthy candidates.  We choose the one who, with our help, can make it through college.  During all the years of the fund every recipient has graduated in four years.

Each year, the directors sift through thirty-five to forty applications.  The choice is never easy.  In the past we chose one young lady who was barely existing on food stamps while living with an aunt in return for baby-sitting--she graduated with a degree in nursing because of us--our support, both emotional and financial, made the difference.  Another success story is that of Holly Woodward who graduated in 2003 from NC State, Summa Cum Laude!