The Republican Club of Polk County awarded scholarships to eight high school seniors from Polk County high schools during its May 5 meeting. This year’s awardees received a total of $7,000, ranging from $500 to $1,500.
This year’s recipients are: Eliseo Garzon and Nathan Guerrero from Goodrich High School; Shelby Dickerson from Livingston High School; Madison Purvis from Corrigan-Camden High School; and Jaycie Blankenbaker, Jared Garner, Briana Battise and Zane Alec from Big Sandy High School. Club President Ruth McClendon presented the awards to each student.
Over 90 members, guests and elected officials gathered to honor the 2025 awardees chosen from a field of over 21 applicants. The two scholarship groups are based on key figures of the Texas political landscape: the James White Scholarship, named after the former state representative, and the Nancy Palm Scholarship, named after the longtime Republican Party activist.
Dr. Audrey Young, the District 8 Representative on the State Board of Education, addressed the crowd, delivering updates from Austin and telling about the educational material now available to all public, private and homeschools in Texas.
The club meets the first Monday of the month at My Place Eatery.
