COLMESNEIL – A couple of graduating Colmesneil High School seniors recently found themselves awarded some keys to a life-changing opportunity.
Shane Surber and Alexandria “Allie” Pierson were named recipients to the Smith-Hutson Scholarship program. The Smith-Hutson program, which was established at Sam Houston State University in 1996, was endowed by an anonymous donor, and Robert Hutson, a retired banker and SHSU grad, was designated as the representative for the program.
The scholarship was dedicated, according to information from SHSU, to providing students opportunities where there might not have been a chance to earn a degree. It is targeted toward students who have “demonstrated academic achievement, leadership potential and financial need.”
To maintain eligibility for the Smith-Hutson program, students must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average and complete at least 30 hours of college credit annually. The scholarship awards represent a major step toward Surber and Pierson achieving their respective goals.
Surber, who aspires to be an agricultural educator, is the son of Shane and Caroline Surber. He is planning to pursue a degree in Agricultural Business, with a teaching certification, starting in the fall, at SHSU.
During his high school career, he has served as a dedicated member of the Colmesneil Future Farmers of America chapter, and as an FFA officer the past three years. He is also currently serving as vice president of the CHS Student Council.
Surber balances his high school academic career with extracurricular activities, as well as a part-time job and community service.
Pierson, who is pursuing a degree in early childhood education at SHSU in the fall, is the daughter of James and Jennifer Pierson, and has called Tyler County home her entire life, along with her sister Kathryn.
She is a self-motivated student who has excelled in academics and leadership roles, while pursuing creative passions.
Pierson said she enjoys painting and music, and she has served as a dedicated member of CHS’s One-Act Play and Scarlet Stars dance team all through her high school career.
She has also served on Student Council and the National Honor Society, which have honed her leadership skills and abilities at engaging with her community.
For Smith-Hutson scholars, the scholarship is what the university refers to as a “completer scholarship,” where recipients are awarded up to $20,000 per year, for four years. For completer scholarships, they include other scholarships awarded, apart from federal Pell Grants, up to the maximum of the scholarship. For example, if a student receives a scholarship for $5,000, Smith-Hutson would award $15K to total that $20K maximum.
According to SHSU, the scholarship program has, since its inception, had 77% of the accepted students as first-generation college students.
