UA Awards Top Scholarships to Area Students

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama recently awarded its most prestigious scholarships to area students for the 2003-2004 academic year.

Students considered for these scholarships must have scored at least a 32 on the ACT, or a 1400 on the SAT, while earning a minimum high school grade point average of 3.8 on a 4.0 scale. Students meeting those qualifications must have also demonstrated leadership and service, completed an essay and participated in an interview.

In addition to their scholarship, National Merit finalists also receive $1,000 merit funding each year, a one-time $2,000 study abroad or summer research allowance and a laptop computer upon enrollment.

Recipients include the following students:

Matthew M. Dover, a National Merit finalist from Jasper, was named a Vulcan Materials Scholar to receive a $7,000 scholarship. Dover ranked first in his graduating class at Walker High School, where he served as class president all four years and Key Club president during his senior year. He was a delegate to Alabama Boys State and was the treasurer of the Walker chapter of Mu Alpha Theta. He also played tennis, helping Walker win consecutive 5-A state titles. Dover was named to the Birmingham News Academic All-State Team as a junior, and he was the Bevill State Torch Invitational American History Winner.

Lawrence H. Haselmaier, a National Merit finalist from Picayune, Miss., was named a Drummond Company Scholar to receive a $14,568 scholarship. Haselmaier, a graduate of Picayune Memorial High School, was a member of FBLA and DECA. He was the president of Picayune’s chapter of the National Honor Society, and was named a University of Southern Mississippi Honor Scholar. Haselmaier, a member of the Mississippi Baptist All-State Youth Choir as a sophomore, was also instructed for five years in piano. He was a volunteer for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the American Cancer Society and the March of Dimes. He hopes to attend medical school in the future.

Travis M. Hicks, a National Merit finalist from Tuscaloosa, was named a Blount Presidential Scholar to receive an $8,500 scholarship. Hicks, a Central High School East graduate, was treasurer of the Spanish Honor Society as well as the SAVE club. He was named Most Outstanding Chemistry Student and Most Outstanding Engineering Student as a sophomore. He was a member of the Art Honor Society, the Math Team, the French Club and Mu Alpha Theta. A participant in UA’s Student Introduction to Engineering Program in 2001, he plans to major in aerospace engineering. Hicks also taught himself origami in high school, and has taught it on Sunday afternoons since last October. His origami flowers have been used in Tuscaloosa’s annual Sakura Festival.

Sarah K. Reichwein, a National Merit finalist from Cullman, was named a Mary Harmon Bryant Scholar to receive an $8,500 scholarship. She ranked first in her class at Cullman, where she served as business manager and editorials section editor of the school newspaper. Reichwein, the treasurer of the National Honor Society at Cullman, was voted “Most Likely To Succeed” by her peers. She received the United States National Journalism Award as a junior. She was a member of the German Honor Society, Art Club, varsity track team and swim team. Reichwein was captain of the Junior Analysis (Math) team and co-captain of the Algebra II team. She participated in campus beautification projects throughout her high school career.

James W. Snider III, a National Merit finalist from Madison, Miss., was named a Jack Warner Scholar to receive a $14,568 scholarship. Snider, was president of Mu Alpha Theta at Jackson Prep School. He was a member of the speech and debate teams, and served as president of the Greek Club. Snider was a Latin representative of the Junior Classical League and participated in the YMCA Youth Legislature. A member of the National Forensics League, he was an AP Scholar and was in the Cum Laude Society. He was also on the football, track and swim teams, and plays many instruments including the clarinet and saxophone. Snider worked to promote voter registration as a senior and volunteered for the Mississippi Food Service.

Five Crimson Scholarships were also awarded by the UA Alumni Association.

Adam K. Sparks of Jasper was awarded the National Alumni Association Past Presidents Crimson Scholarship for $7,934. He was vice president of his senior class at Walker High School, and served as a student representative on the Jasper City School Education Advisory Committee. Sparks was president of the school photography club as well as being a Key Club officer and a delegate to Alabama Boys State Youth Summit. He participated in countless volunteer programs including the Big Brothers Mentor Program, Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics. A co-captain for the varsity tennis team, Sparks hosted his own tennis clinic to raise funds to help pay for students to attend a program to combat drugs and violence in schools.

Joshua M. Converse of Hartselle was awarded the Gowen Mitchell Crimson Scholarship for $7,934. He was elected president of the Hartselle High School chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, and was president of the Hartselle chapter of the National Honor Society. Converse also served as captain of the school’s Scholar Bowl team. He is very active in his local church and participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Converse has been technical coordinator at Fowler Pharmacy in Hartselle since 2001. In this capacity, he was required to maintain the pharmacy’s eight computers as well as manage the store’s large inventory.

Andrew M. Lewis, a National Merit scholar from Huntsville, was awarded the Steven V. Mitchell Crimson Scholarship for $7,934. At Grissom High School, he was captain of the hockey team as well as special events coordinator for the Latin Club. He was a member of the Alabama Junior Classical League and served as treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta. As a senior, Lewis volunteered at the UAB Clinic in the Internal Medicine Division and tutored his fellow students in physics and math. He was a member of the Grissom Robotics Team, which competed in the Alabama BEST Robotics Competition in 2002-2003.

Mary K. Mabry of Arlington, Tenn., was awarded the Robert and Millie Kirksey Crimson Scholarship for $15,094. A soccer player at Bolton High School, Mabry was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Honor Society. She was the editor of the school yearbook her senior year as well as the Student Government Association president. Mabry participated in the Mid-South Youth Fair and the MIFA Meals on Wheels Program. She also served as aide-de-camp for Tre Hargett of the 99th Legislative District of Tennessee.

Brittany A. Borden of Hartselle was awarded the J.B. and Ruth Hardwick Perry Crimson Scholarship for $8,834. She ranked first in her graduating class at Hartselle High School, where she was president of the Latin Club and the Physics Club. Borden was captain of the swimming team. Borden, who was a member of the National Honor Society, volunteered for local charities to benefit the Alzheimer Foundation and the North Alabama Mental Health Association. She also volunteered for local charities such as Riverfest, Angel Tree and the Special Olympics. Borden is an active member of her local church and is a certified Red Cross lifeguard.