BLYTHEVILLE— The Governor’s Ballroom at Arkansas Northeastern College was packed Tuesday night as roughly 45 students, their parents, and members of Tenaris Hickman gathered to award 45 students, representing every school in Mississippi County, with the Roberto Rocca scholarships in a total amount of $112,000.
Forty students received the merit award of $2,000 each, four students received Student of the Year runner-up, where they received $3,000 each, and the Student of the Year— Anna Claire Smith, of Gosnell High School — received a $20,000 scholarship.
Senior Director of Operations at Tenaris Hickman, Luis Reyes, expressed that Tenaris was proud to support the students.
“It’s a privilege to recognize these students who have exemplified outstanding academic achievement and leadership both in the classroom and within their community,” said Reyes. “Tenaris is proud to support these students as they pursue the next stage of their academic and professional development.”
The four students who received the $3,000 scholarship include: Logan Hendrix, of Gosnell; Sean Mays, of Kipp; Layla Meacham, of Gosnell; and David Smith, of Rivercrest.
Anna Claire Smith plans to attend Harding University to seek a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
“I want to thank Tenaris for their dedication to the high school students in Mississippi County. The Roberto Rocca Scholarship has helped countless high school students further their education at the next level,“ Smith told the Town Courier. “I would also like to thank Ms. Tracey Ritchey and the selection committee for this honor. I look forward to representing Tenaris at the college level.”
Tenaris 2017 Merit Award recipient Katie Beth Walker (Pankey) was the guest speaker, where she thanked Tenaris for helping fund her undergraduate education without any debt.
Walker added, “But beyond the financial support, receiving this scholarship gave something just as valuable – confidence. It reassured me that others believed in me, and it gave me the courage to believe in myself.”
Walker explained that by age 23, she had a Master’s degree and is currently a speech language pathologist at St. Bernards Medical Center.
Award recipients of the $2,0000 scholarships include: Noah Adams, Rivercrest; Lamon Aldridge, Gosnell; Jacob Atchley, Rivercrest; Richard Beckett, Rivercrest; Jaxon Churchill, Manila; Makayla Cook, Armorel; Ryder Crawford, Rivercrest; Rex Farmer, Manila; Ashley Fosburg, Armorel; Molly Gay, Gosnell; Taylor Hilburn, Rivercrest; Justus Hopper, Osceola; Sebastian Johnson, Armorel; Derick King, Blytheville; Jenna LaRose, Manila; Olivia Lynn, Blytheville; Ethan Mastowski, Gosnell; Mercades Mauppins, Rivercrest; Carson Middleton, Manila; Hailey Miles, Manila; Natalie Moresco, Gosnell; James Newbern, KIPP; Steven “Coy” Nixon, Armorel; Madylin Owens, Rivercrest; Ethan Parish, Rivercrest; Bethany Razer, Armorel; Kaden Read, Gosnell; Allyson Reuther, Blytheville; Calov Richmond, Gosnell; Brayden Ritchey, Gosnell; Luke Roberts, Manila; Alexis Rogers, Gosnell; Hadlee Ruddick, Armorel; Joshua Sanchez, Rivercrest; Jordan Seward, Gosnell; Jude Tucker, Rivercrest; Makayla Wilson, Blytheville; Connor Whitehead, Gosnell; Carleigh Williams, Rivercrest; and Devyn Williams, KIPP.
