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Furman awards Heller Scholarships

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com


Last updated June 25, 2014

By Tina Underwood

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

Furman University has awarded major scholarships to 12 graduates of Greenville County high schools for the 2014-15 academic year.

Established in fall 2012, the $20,000 scholarship is available yearly to one student at each of the 18 Greenville County high schools. This year, students from 12 of the 18 schools showed intent to attend Furman. Recipients for 2014-15 include students from 9 public high schools, two charter schools, and the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. The goal of the scholarship is to encourage talented local students to remain in the area and strengthen their commitment to the Upstate.

The Heller Community Scholarship is named in honor of the late Max Heller, former mayor of Greenville and Furman trustee who was well known for his exemplary work in the Greenville community and whose life was a monument to leadership, education, mentorship and a passion for learning.

The scholarships are awarded based on the recommendation of the student’s high school administration, commitment to attending Furman, and evidence of admissibility to Furman’s undergraduate program. The scholarships are renewable for four years provided the student remains in good academic standing with the university.

The recipients of the 2014-15 Max Heller Community Scholarships are:

Brashier Middle College Charter High School
Margaret Louise Hopkins Taylor
Ms. Taylor, who plans to focus on Asian Studies at Furman, independently studies the Japanese language. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa at Greenville Technical College, and has honed her writing skills at Brashier Middle College Charter High. She is the daughter of George Taylor and Jane Hopkins of Simpsonville (29680).

Blue Ridge High School
Ebony Raegeme Hawkins
At Blue Ridge High School, Ms. Hawkins has invested her time in community service. She plans to study business administration at Furman University this fall. She is the daughter of Tarsha Edwards of Taylors (29687).

Greenville Senior High Academy of Law, Finance, and Business
Dina Sharon Estrada Ruiz
Ms. Estrada Ruiz is an active member in her church, and served in Beta Club and National Honor Society at Greenville High. She was co-valedictorian in the Omicron class of Bridges to a Brighter Future at Furman University where she plans to study business administration. She is the daughter of Hipolito Estrada and Maria Ruiz of Greenville (29609).

Greenville Technical Charter High School
Gabrielle Elizabeth Sleiman
Ms. Sleiman interned with Greenville Health System Medical Experience (MedEx) Academy, and was a member of the International Club at Greenville Technical Charter High. A violin musician, Sleiman plans to pursue a biology and pre-health track at Furman. She is the daughter of Francois and Michelle Sleiman of Taylors (29687).

Greer High School
Krishnua Brianna Burnette
During her time at Greer High School, Ms. Burnette participated in varsity tennis and in United States Tennis Association teams. She served as counselor for the Butterflies R Us organization, and she tutors elementary school students in various subjects. She is the daughter of Stanley and Valerie Burnette of Taylors (29651).

Hillcrest High School
Christopher Jesse Lane
Mr. Lane devoted time to theater and community service while attending Hillcrest High. He looks forward to studying psychology and pre-law at Furman. Lane is the son of Johnathan Lane of Simpsonville (29681) and Sally Gause of Dallas, N.C. (28034).

Mauldin High School
Raleigh Donovan Fowler
At Mauldin, Mr. Fowler served as director of a school play, captain of the debate team, and as a volunteer for Special Olympics. With plans to study philosophy at Furman, he is the son of Julie Lockhart of Mauldin (29662).

South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities
Chad Weston Boltz
While attending the Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, Mr. Boltz volunteered with Connecting Arts Through Service. In addition to being a vocalist, Boltz is an Eagle Scout recipient through Boy Scouts of America. The son of Steven Boltz and Marcia Moll of Piedmont (29673), Boltz intends to study music performance at Furman.

Southside High School
Radhika Jayesh Pandya
While attending Southside, Ms. Pandya was softball team captain, interned with Greenville Health System Medical Experience (MedEx) Academy, was involved in Girls State, and was a Southside High Tiger Ambassador. Pandya anticipates studying chemistry at Furman in the fall. She is the daughter of Jayesh and Sonal Pandya of Greenville (29607).

Travelers Rest High School
Shelby Elizabeth Wilkins
Ms. Wilkins played trumpet in the Travelers Rest High School marching band. She looks ahead to studying English this fall at Furman. She is the daughter of Jeffrey Wilkins of Startex (29377) and Tammy Burnett of Greenville (29617).

Wade Hampton High School
Fareeha Abrar
At Wade Hampton High, Ms. Abrar was a member of National Honor Society. She is an active member of the Islamic Center and Masjid of Greenville. Daughter of Abrar Qazi and Mariam Abrar of Greenville (29615), Ms. Abrar looks forward to studying health sciences this fall at Furman.

Woodmont High School
Csaba Mozes Szabo
During his time at Woodmont High School, Mr. Szabo served on the yearbook staff. At Furman this fall, he plans to study biology. He is the son of Csaba and Tammy Szabo of Greenville (29605).

For more information about the Max Heller Community Scholarship, contact Furman’s Office of Admission at (864) 294-2034.

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