On Wednesday, June 24, the Rotary Club of Daniel Island awarded scholarships totaling $6500 to five local students who will be entering college this fall.  The scholarship program was started by the club in 2003, and is known as the Henri L. White Scholarship Program in honor or Mr. White, a long time club member with a passion for education who passed away in 2006.  Since 2005 the club has awarded 20 scholarships with a total value of $31,250 made possible in part by matching funds provided by the Daniel Island Community Fund.

To be eligible for the scholarships the students must be seniors graduating from Hanahan or Timberland High School, be from the Wando-Huger or Cainhoy region of Berkeley County, and must have been accepted to college.  Each of them was required to write an essay on their impression of Rotary’s purpose, and the type of person who becomes a Rotarian.

This year’s five winners are:

Desiree Porcher, a 2009 graduate of Hanahan High School.  She was a vice president of the Future Educators of America, and a member of JROTC Color Guard.  She is active in the community and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, ECCO, Crisis Ministries, and Meals on Wheels.  Porcher will attend Charleston Southern University this fall and will study Early Childhood / Elementary Education and plans to become a second grade teacher.

 

Jasmine Denmark is a 2009 graduate of Hanahan High School. She was a member of the National Honors Society, co-captain of the Spice Step Team, a first sergeant of the JROTC, and is active in her local church choir as well as in the gospel choir at Hanahan.   Denmark will be attending USC Aiken in September and is interested in studying Elementary Education and Speech Pathology.

 

Shakema Gailliard is also a 2009 graduate of Hanahan.  She was a member of the National Honor Society, co-captain of the basketball team, and a Platoon Leader of the JROTC.  Shakema will be attending the College of Charleston this fall and will study Business Administration.

 Tempest Shaw is another 2009 graduate of Hanahan.  She was a member of the National Honor Society, and a member of the volleyball team.  Shaw will be attending Clemson University in September and will study Secondary Education with the goal of teaching economics in high school after graduation.

 

Paul Jefferson (not pictured) is a 2009 graduate from Timberland High School.  He was a four-year letterman in football and basketball.  Jefferson will be attending Newberry College this fall where he will play football and major in Physical Education.