RWC Awards College Scholarships to Four Outstanding Graduates

RWC Press Release
    The second year for a new college scholarship proved surprising and beneficial for four young ladies from Central graduating from different schools around the Baton Rouge area. Each were awarded scholarships from the Republican Women of Central from $500 to $1,000 to help with expenses of pursuing their dreams and a college education next Fall during Monday night's meeting of RWC at Mike Anderson's Seafood in Central.
    Rather than choosing just one recipient, the RWC Executive Committee decided to give all four college-bound grads a financial gift and award. This was a surprise, and each candidate was elated. Scholarship awards were given to Ashton Denham, Heather Clement and Morgan McKey of Central High School, and Alexandra Wicker of St. Michael the Archangel High. In addition to their scholarships, they will be give free membership to RWC.
    Carissa Graves, wife of Congressman Garret Graves, RWC's first scholarship recipient, Central High School graduate and Southeastern University pre-med student Alicien Lieux, and Central School Board Member Roxanne Atkinson were speakers for the award dinner. 
    The RWC Outstanding Scholar Award went to Ashton Layne Denham along with a $1,000 check.  Ashton is a graduate of Central High School, has been accepted to Southeastern University and will be seeking a degree in Education to become a high school teacher. Ashton is the first Youth Ambassador for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) speaking to DWI recipients and schools, is the Miss City of Central Outstanding Teen and along with several students was a founder of "Trevor's Wish" having national impact raising funds in the name of Trevor Simms for the Baton Rouge Food Bank, was chosen "Class Comedian" by fellow students, and has traveled on several mission trips sharing her deep Christian faith in areas of tragedy and poverty.
    She is also a community activist, campaign volunteer, model, singer, dancer and actress with the CHS Performing Arts program and Central Community Theater. She will travel to Peru for two weeks this Summer for mission work. She will be registered as a Republican voter once she is 18 and will be politically active.
    Heather Clement was awarded a $500 scholarship to pursue her college education to become a dentist at the University of New Orleans, majoring in Pre-Dental Hygiene and applying to the LSU School of Dentistry. Heather volunteers with a group of young teens who assist Catholic Churches in the Catholic Diocese by cleaning their entire church, volunteers as a camp counselor for Vacation Bible School at Magnolia United Methodist Church. Heather wants to make a difference in people's daily lives, is a registered Republican voter and plans to be politically active. 
    Morgan McKey was awarded a $500 scholarship to pursue becoming a Pharmacist and has been accepted to LSU, and later attend University of Louisiana at Monroe for her PhD. She has volunteered at the Baton Rouge General in various departments including pharmacy, pediatrics and NICU, help organize toys for the CCAF Christmas Toy Drive, served in soup kitchen and homeless shelters across the state with St. John The Baptist Church where she has also organized and run youth group functions and has traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in The March For Life as a Pro-Life advocate. She is a registered Republican voter 
    Alexandra Wicker is a graduate of St. Michael The Archangel High School, was awarded a $500 scholarship and will be attending Millsaps College on a basketball scholarship after being heavily recruited by several colleges. She plans to pursue a degree in Business. She attended Central Private School prior to attending St. Michael's. Alexandra's community service includes Habitat for Humanity, St. Vincent de Paul, Lane Nursing Home in Zachary, Vacation Bible School, mission trips and basketball camps. She has been politically active as a campaign volunteer and will register to vote when she turns 18. 
    Each one of these young ladies is a leader in our community and deserving of support. RWC appreciates all who contributed to the fundraising efforts over the past year to make this scholarship program possible. 
    For more information on RWC membership, sponsorship and upcoming educational programs, and events, email [email protected], visit Facebook.com/Republican.Women.of.CentralLA or Twitter.com/@RWCLA2014.