Top Scholarship Recipients Named at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s most prestigious academic scholarships have been awarded to a select group of students for the 2002-2003 academic year.

To be considered for these scholarships, students must have at least a 32 ACT score, or at least 1400 on the SAT, with a high school grade point average of 3.8 on a 4.0 scale. Students must have demonstrated leadership and service, and must have completed both an essay and an interview.

Recipients include the following students:

LaToya Flint, a National Achievement Finalist from Muscle Shoals, was awarded the Drummond Company Scholarship of $8,500 a year. She is a graduate of Muscle Shoals High School and the daughter of Louise and the late Oliver Flint. She attended the Alabama Governor’s School and was active in school organizations, including serving as senior class treasurer, president of Mu Alpha Theta, and national honor society treasurer.

Aundrea Lollar of Northport was given the National Alumni Association Past Presidents Crimson Scholarship of $7,356 a year. She is a graduate of Northside High School and the daughter of Sherman and Sondra Lollar. She served president of her class and the honor society her senior year. She was also captain of the Scholar’s Bowl and active in homecoming activities at her high school. Lollar was very active in community service clubs through her high school and participated in many charity events in the area.

Lindsey B. Miller, a National Merit Finalist from Clinton, Miss., was named as a Ruth W. and Henry Andrews Scholar, receiving $14,138 a year. She is a graduate of Clinton High School and the daughter of Jay and Lois Miller. Miller was vice president of the student government association and involved in many volunteer and academic organizations in her high school. She also has an interest in horseback riding and teaches riding lessons after school. Miller was second runner up and Scholastic Award winner in the Clinton Junior Miss Pageant.

Collin Davis Newberry, a National Merit Finalist from Huntsville, was awarded the Gowen Mitchell Crimson Scholarship of $7,356 a year. He is the son of Ken and Stephanie Newberry and a graduate of Covenant Christian High School. He is very active in his church, Southwood Presbyterian Church, where he is on the Youth Leadership Council, a youth ministries volunteer and plays piano in the orchestra. He is an accomplished pianist, winning several state piano competitions as well as teaching lessons and playing in a local Christian rock band. Newberry also is an active volunteer in his community for organizations such as the Special Olympics and CASA. He also was a Boy’s State Participant and selected to the District Honor Band.

Jennifer L. Phillips, a National Merit Finalist from Vestavia Hills, was selected as a Vulcan Materials Scholar to receive $10,292 a year. A graduate of Vestavia Hills High School, Phillips is the daughter of Marty and Pam Phillips. Phillips served as vice president of the math team and won several state and national awards in that area. She also has interest in music, earning eight consecutive superior rankings in both the National Federation of Music Clubs Piano Solo Festival and the Piano Hymn Festival and serving as trumpet section leader in the marching and concert bands.

John G. Phillips, a National Merit Finalist from Decatur, was awarded the Mary H. Bryant Scholarship for $8,500 a year. He is the son of Gary and Linda Phillips and a graduate of Decatur High School. He served as editor-in-chief of his high school paper and earned varsity letters in basketball and track. He is also a Boy’s State Graduate and a Furman Scholar. Phillips was also the winner of an essay and speech contest and was chosen to represent his community as an ambassador to Japan.

Katherine L. Soppet of Selma was awarded the Blount Presidential Scholarship of $8,500 a year. Soppet is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Charles Michael Soppet and a graduate of John T. Morgan High School. Soppet is very active in dance, serving as varsity dance team captain and teaching lessons and camps. She was also parliamentarian of the student government association and a Selma Youth City Councilwoman. Soppet placed as first alternate in the Dallas County Junior Miss Scholarship Pageant.

Arik M. Tashie of Tuscaloosa was given the John A. and Laura P. Carringer Scholarship of $8,500 a year. He is a graduate of Hillcrest High School and the son of Joe and Kathy Tashie. He served as Mu Alpha Theta president and was named a top senior and an academic all-star. Tashie was a member of the debate team and is a tutor for the Alabama High School Graduation Exam Tutorial Program.

James G. Welch, a National Merit Finalist from Mobile, was given a Blount Presidential Scholarship for $8,500 a year. He is the son of Jim and Maureen Welch and a graduate of John S. Shaw High School. Welch was drum major of the marching band, captain of the Varsity Scholar’s Bowl and president of the National Honor Society and the SGA Student Council. He also was a member of the varsity soccer team, the yearbook staff and a volunteer in the Mobile Symphonic Pops Band.

Amy C. Wilkinson, a National Merit Finalist from Clinton, Miss., was awarded the E. Roger Sayers Crimson Scholarship of $13,424 a year. She is a graduate of Clinton High School and the daughter of Michael and Barbara Wilkinson. She lettered in volleyball at her high school and was active in several clubs and organizations. She was also active in student government, serving as vice president of the Student Council, treasurer of the Teen-age Republicans and was a participant in Youth in Government.