Club banquet honors scholarship recipients
John Rieping/The Madera Tribune
Mistress of ceremonies Diana Robbins, at podium, praises South East Garden Club’s scholarship recipients, starting third from left, Jonah Johnson, Taron Turner and LaNaya Brewer, all of Madera South High School.
South East Garden Club lauded five college-bound high school graduates at its 9th annual Scholarship Banquet and Auction this past weekend on Madera Municipal Golf Course.
The scholarship recipients are LaNaya Brewer, Jonah Johnson and Taron Turner, of Madera South High School, and Zainab Qaiser and Addyson Smith, of Madera High School. Each graduate received $1,000 to assist with college textbooks and other academic expenses.
“Let nothing deter you from your dreams,” a woman advised them during a time for spontaneous “pearls of wisdom” from club members. “Continue to strive. Trust yourself, but most of all trust God to direct you to where He wants you to be in life.
“Also, once you achieve what you have, reach back and help someone else to come up as well. Be a mentor or an encourager, and lift their heart as others have lifted your heart.”
Smith earned a 4.37 grade point average and was ranked 21 out of her MHS class of 520 students. She is enrolled at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Denver, Colorado. Her father, Alan Smith, said she is studying aeronautical engineering with hopes of joining NASA.
Qaiser earned a 3.93 GPA and was ranked 38 out of 520. She will attend University of California, Davis, in the college of letters and science with an undeclared fine arts major, according to the club.
Johnson earned a 3.71 GPA and was ranked 87 out of his MSHS class of 611 students. He plans to go to Fresno City College.
Turner earned a 3.48 GPA and was ranked 154 out of 611. He also will be a student at Fresno City.
Brewer earned a 2.60 GPA and was ranked 465 out of 611. She will attend College of Sequoias in Visalia.
Rev. Robert L. Walker offered the invocation at the Saturday evening banquet, and Diana Robbins served as mistress of ceremonies. Zhanel Gomes sang musical selections.
