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Cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. High 87F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..
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Updated: June 18, 2025 @ 10:34 am
The Grant Committee of the Banks Scholarship Trust has awarded 39 Monroe County college students with scholarships amounting to more than $100,000 for the 2025-26 academic year.
The scholarships come from a trust that Bera Kay Banks, the widow of Gilbert Alexander Banks, Jr., created. Gilbert Banks, a native of Forsyth and graduate of Emory University and the University of Georgia School of Law, was a Forsyth attorney and banker. He died in 2012; his widow died in 2014.
Annual proceeds from the trust are used for the scholarships, first given in 2017. College students who have been residents of Monroe County for at least two years preceding the date of application may apply for these scholarships, granted to students enrolled or intending to be enrolled in college in the fall of the year.
The recipients this year attend accredited colleges both in and out of the state of Georgia.
In allocating the funds, the committee considers, among other things, financial need, character, demonstrated leadership and educational goals. These scholarships may be renewed on an annual basis for up to four years of undergraduate studies.
The scholarship committee this year consists of Harry Faircloth, Robert L. Harris, Hollie Ham Wangerin, Olive Collins-Free, and Ralph Bass. They are members of Grace United Methodist Church, which is now responsible for the distribution of the funds.
Since 2017, almost a million dollars from the Banks Trust has been awarded to Monroe County college students.
The 2025 recipients of the Banks Scholarships are: Emily Adams (University of North Georgia), Madison L. Adams (University of North Georgia), Ava G. Baltz (University of Georgia), Niya Beitin (Emory University), Johona A. Braswell II (Georgia Southern University), Sara K. Bullington (Samford University), Lucas Cantrell (Georgia Institute of Technology), Madelyn Causey (Mercer University), Addie M. Cobb (Georgia Southern University), Marlee G. Coffman (University of Georgia), Ricardo Diaz (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College), Carter G. Fletcher (University of Georgia), Jacob P. Gore (Georgia Southern University), Drew H. Grant (University of Georgia), Alyssa R. Green (University of North Georgia), Matthew J. Henderson (Mercer University), Gabriella L. Hoover (Milligan University), Mallory C. Hotchkiss (University of North Georgia), Samuel M. Marshall (Georgia Institute of Technology), Emily H. Matthews (University of Georgia), Kayla G. Matthews (University of Georgia), Colton L. McDonald (University Of Georgia), Maela J. Mckallip (University of Utah), Gabriella C. Miller (University of Georgia), Jacob B. Moore (Shorter University), Chloe P. Myers (University of Georgia), Molly Rivers (Middle Georgia State University), Zoe Rivers (Middle Georgia State University), Emma J. Robinson (Georgia Southern University), Thiago A. Saralgui Aquino (Kennesaw State University), Ronald Shipman III (University of Georgia), Hannah E. Simpson (Mercer University), Austin J. Starr (University of Georgia), Heidi M. Sykes (Georgia Southern University), Anslie H. Tonn (Georgia Southern University), Gracen Tonn (Georgia Southern University), Thomas Ussery (Georgia Southern University), Riley Van Voorhis (Kennesaw State University), Stuart S. Watson (Berry College).
Information provided by Scholarship Committee member Ralph Bass.
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