| Post Secondary Education
The John and Deborah Gillis Foundation has announced the 2024 recipients of Bright Star Scholarships.
The foundation is a privately endowed 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is “to provide multiple educational opportunities to amplify, strengthen and empower Hopkins County students so they will be college and career ready in order to be highly competitive in a global society.”
Each year since 2019, the Foundation has provided scholarships to 10 Hopkins County graduating seniors who would benefit from financial support. The scholarships are renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters at $5,000 per semester. Students must have at least a B average on whatever grade point average (GPA) scale is used by their district; an 80% attendance average for the last seven semesters of high school (grades 9-12); be a graduating senior from a school in Hopkins County, Texas; and demonstrate a need for financial support to continue education or lessen financial burdens beyond high school graduation.
The scholarships cover tuition, housing, books, required tools, and parking fees. Unused funds are banked for each student for future use.
To be considered for one of the 10 scholarships, students must submit an application, along with documentation of attendance, grades and financial need in March of their senior year. Eligible applicants then submit an essay on a given topic related to the mission and goals of the foundation, along with two letters of recommendation;, a resume; and a description of their work and education experiences, achievements, future goals and leadership positions. The applicants are then interviewed by the Bright Stars Scholarship Advisory Committee, made up of residents of Hopkins County.
The recipients will be honored at a banquet to be held at the Sulphur Springs Country Club on Wednesday, May 29.
The 2024 Bright Star Scholars include:
Cumby ISD — Kendall Dobson;
Como-Pickton Consolidated ISD — Daniel Corral and Katie Tifft;
Sulphur Bluff ISD — Trista Flowers;
Sulphur Springs ISD — Riley Carroll, Kylie Clarke, Zoe Crump, Angel Mills and Tomi Pirtle; and
Homeschool Student — Karrington McQuay.