Advent Christian Village Awards 22 College Scholarships

The annual Marvin E. Jones Memorial and Forward Fund Scholarship Banquet was held by Advent Christian Village (ACV) May 19. Each year, the legacy of those who donated funds to ACV in order to establish scholarships is carried on, as college scholarships are awarded to Suwannee High School graduates, ACV employees and the children of ACV employees. This year, a total of 22 scholarships were awarded.

Following a delicious meal, ACV President Craig Carter outlined the history and purpose for the event. Last year’s $20,000 scholarship winner, Darias Bowers, recounted his freshman experiences at Florida A&M University. Marvin Jones’s son — and scholarship trustee member — Mike Jones shared memories of his father and explained why he established the scholarship fund. Superintendent of Suwannee County Schools Jerry Scarborough spoke about the outstanding students that were represented from Suwannee County and presented gifts to Mike Jones and Robert Jones.

The Forward Fund was established by Dr. Al Lawton and his wife, Ruth Lawton, who passed away on May 20. The fund provides scholarships to ACV employees who attend college to further their education. Four employees were awarded scholarships this year: Shannon Baughman, studying nursing at North Florida Community College (NFCC); Randy Lamb, studying Christian leadership at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary; Rebecca Molina, studying to become an activities director; and Jennifer Poucher, studying nursing at Our Lady of the Lake.

Marvin E. Jones scholarships are awarded to two groups: the children of ACV employees and Suwannee High School seniors. This year, 11 students who are the children of ACV employees were awarded scholarships: Sydney Barry, taking nursing at NFCC; Tim Carter, pre-med, majoring in physics at Florida State University (FSU); Hope Chambers, early childhood education at Santa Fe College (SFC); Chance Cummings, anthropology at the University of Florida (UF); Jeremiah Harmon, physical therapy at NFCC; Travis Hett, engineering at FSU; Sienna Johnson, enlisting in the Air Force; Ben Lake, pre-med, majoring in ophthalmology at NFCC; Amanda Mabey, digital media at NFCC; Christine Mabey, elementary education at Florida Gateway College (FGC); and Brandi Taylor, diversified agriculture at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

The excitement of the evening heightened when the finalists, runners up and winner of the Marvin E. Jones SHS scholarships were awarded. The three finalists, each awarded a one-time $1,000 scholarship, were Taylor Bailey, who plans to attend the University of North Florida; Katie Stalvey, studying physical therapy at FGC; and Cody Turner, pre-med, taking chemistry at Missouri State University. The three runners up, each awarded a one-time $2,000 scholarship, were Brittany Dunn, majoring in education at NFCC; Jessie Kirk, pre-law, studying education at SFC; and Lily Wyche, taking accounting at UF. The winner of a $20,000 scholarship to be awarded in $5,000 portions for four years, was Darrah Lane, who will be majoring in wildlife ecology at Florida Gateway College.

Three previous winners of the $20,000 scholarship were renewed for another year: Kayla Ratliff, the 2012 winner; Eduardo Moreno, the 2013 winner; and Darias Bowers, last year’s winner.

Advent Christian Village is pleased to able to partner with the generous contributors who make these scholarships possible.