Tuesday, July 29, 2025
In 2022, the emergence of The Crossroads Scholarship, created by the family of Odell and Esterlene Starks, opened new doors to educational advancement for White House High School graduates, a testament to the coupleās community loyalty and commitment to education. This yearās fundraising efforts have made it possible to award six scholarships, including one to a deserving Cumberland University student.
The connection between Cumberland and the Starks family runs deep. Odell and Esterlene were lifelong residents of Sumner County, where their son CU alumnus and former Board of Trust member Wayne Starks was born. Wayne graduated from Cumberland in 1967, and was a member of the regional championship basketball team during his freshman year. He was inducted into the Cumberland Sports Hall of Fame along with his team in 2015, he served admirably on the CU Board of Trust for many years, and he was recently awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award during the 2025 CU Commencement.
Pillars of their community for decades, Odell and Esterlene were perhaps best known for their generosity, always contributing their time, talents, and treasure to their city, their local congregation at Walnut Grove Methodist Church, and to those in need.
In December 2024, Wayne Starks returned to the Cumberland campus and, following the lifelong example of philanthropy set by his parents, presented a generous financial gift to 71 of the universityās athletic coaches and staff.
Each of this yearās six Crossroads Scholarship recipients will receive $5,000, including Cameron Mills, who will begin his higher education journey at Cumberland this fall supported by the legacy of the Starks family and their dedication to their hometown.
āMy parents lived their lives in service to others,ā shared Wayne Starks. āThe Crossroads Scholarship has allowed me to keep their legacy alive by investing in the future of students from our hometown. The ability to impact a student from my alma mater makes it all the more meaningful and fulfilling.ā
The Crossroads Scholarship is a wonderful opportunity and way for citizens in the Middle Tennessee area to invest in the future of students at White House High School. Looking ahead, the Starks family hopes to expand the scholarshipās reach even further, with a goal of supporting ten or more students in the years to come. In order to achieve this, continued support and contributions from Middle Tennessee residents will be essential.
Students at White House High School can apply for this scholarship through their counselorās office. Contributions to The Crossroads Scholarship can be mailed to 169 Braxton Lane East, Hendersonville, TN 37075.
For additional information and updates, follow āThe Crossroads Scholarship for White House High Schoolā on Facebook.
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