403 10 WHO HAVE PERSEVERED WILL RECEIVE NEILL-SANDLER SCHOLARSHIPS

Date: April 26, 2006
Editorial contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-2919


(MURFREESBORO) — Ten Middle Tennessee high school seniors who have overcome hardships to find success in their young lives will be honored for their perseverance Wednesday, May 3, during the eighth annual Neill-Sandler Strive for Excellence Banquet at MTSU.
The invitation-only event will start at 6 p.m. in the James Union Building’s Tennessee Room.
The 10 students, who have been nominated by their schools and school systems, have recovered from tough times. In spite of their situations, they have performed well in the classroom and on their college entrance tests, and exhibited leadership skills in and out of school. Some have worked to financially assist themselves and family members.
Scholarships provided through the Neill-Sandler Foundation and The Danner Company, a Nashville-based business led by Chairman Ray Danner, will go to the deserving students who come from the following county school systems: Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb, Franklin, Rutherford, Warren, Williamson and Wilson, and Tullahoma City Schools.
This year’s honorees will include:
Wartrace resident Danee Crosslin of Cascade High School; Bradyville resident Michelle Pruett of Cannon County High School in Woodbury; Jamey Hurst of Coffee County Central High School in Manchester; Dowelltown resident Bethany Davis of DeKalb County High School in Smithville; Jeff Sanders of Huntland High School; Elizabeth D. Allen, a Murfreesboro resident, of La Vergne High School; Chelsea Beaty of Warren County High School in McMinnville; Franklin resident Kasey Stannard of Page High School; Wesley Frazier of Watertown High School; and Stephanie McGowen of Tullahoma High School.
One scholarship recipient will receive the Ray Danner Scholarship, which has a total award of $10,000. Another student will receive the Elizabeth and Sidney McPhee Scholarship, with a total award of $7,500. The other eight winners will receive a $5,000 scholarship.
“This fall, MTSU will welcome 10 additional Neill-Sandler Scholars to campus,” said Kippy Todd, assistant director for annual giving in the Office of Development. “These students have weathered many losses and hardships with great courage and determination. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments.”
Todd acknowledged the assistance and effort by businessmen Gary Neill of Knoxville and Mike Sandler of Murfreesboro in maintaining the scholarship program. “We are grateful to Mike Sandler and Gary Neill as they continue to assist students in making a college education possible,” she said.
The program, which has awarded 75 scholarships, was established in 1999 through the efforts of Neill, Sandler and Randy Morton of the Neill-Sandler Foundation.
For more information about the Neill-Sandler Scholars at MTSU program, visit mtsu.edu/~devofc/neill-sandler. For information about other scholarships or admission to MTSU, call the admissions office at 615-898-2111 or visit mtsu.edu/~admissn/.
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Media welcomed.