PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WYMT) – The WYMT food City Mountain Basketball Classic Scholarship Awards Banquet brought students and families from throughout the region to the Mountain Arts Center Tuesday.
The event, marking the classic’s 38th year, saw the second highest number of scholarships awarded to area seniors, with 125 academic scholarships presented on stage and two more expected to be presented to athletes at the close of the tournament Saturday.
“It means a lot, personally, to feel like we’re kind of doing what the Lord has led us to do,” said Mountain Classic Chairman Archie Everage. “It’s always a great day at the banquet. We love seeing the students come in with the smiles on their faces, and their families, and how appreciative they are of all the scholarships.”
Each student received a $1,000 scholarship and was invited to have lunch with the donors who made those funds available.
“My favorite thing is just to see the community come together in such a great way,” said Everage. “I love to see the sponsors and meet each one of them. And each year, some new ones come to the program. And we love to match them up with some students who are receiving the scholarships.”
Students say the support from the sponsors and donors is incredible, with many saying the financial burden of tuition and books has been weighing on them as they look ahead to their future college journeys.
“I’m incredibly thankful for all of them and how they’re trying to help the community,” said scholarship recipient Caleb Taylor. “Whenever they was coming up, they might not have had this. But they’re trying to help us.”
Some students say they encourage future seniors to apply for the scholarships, saying it feels nice to have a community of support rallying behind you.
“I say, whenever they have the opportunity to take that chance, to apply. Because you just need as many as you can. It’ll just help you,” said scholarship recipient Tara Strong.
The students also heard from keynote speaker, Celia Shoffner, Executive Director of Middlesboro Main Street. She spoke about leaving home to follow her dreams, then realizing those dreams not only led back home, but blossomed there.
“It’s not about your destination. It’s about finding your happiness, some growth, and your purpose along the way,” she said to the crowd.
The committee also celebrated former WYMT General Manager Neil Middleton, for his years of dedicated service to the mountain people and the Mountain Classic.
Organizers say Middleton was instrumental in making sure the girls basketball teams were included in the tournament in the years following its inception and he has helped champion the program and its reach, which has provided more than 2,200 scholarships and invested more than $5 million into mountain students.
You can see a list of 2024 the scholarship recipients here.
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