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Redskin JROTC honors Mercer
JROTC cadets
Bryan County High School JROTC cadets line up during the dedication ceremony Friday for former battalion instructor Maj. Charles Mercer. - photo by Provided

The Bryan County High School JROTC Redskin Battalion recognized its former instructor Maj. Charles Mercer by naming the battalion’s staff room in his honor during a dedication ceremony Friday at BCHS.

Mercer led the JROTC program at BCHS for six years before a car accident cost him the lower portion of his right leg, making it necessary for him to leave the program.

“I was here for six years and I put my life blood into this program,” Mercer said. “I love the kids. I’m so proud of all of y’all. Y’all are just wonderful, and I miss y’all. I miss the program.”

The current Senior Army Instructor Lt. Col. Michael Hampton said he felt it was important to recognize the contribution Mercer has made to the program and the students who benefit through it.

“He’s been here for six years, he put his tears, sweat and blood into building this program up. As the military does, we honor those who came before us,” Hampton said. “After his accident, I came onboard to build on what he and 1st Sgt. Springer have already done. We’re just trying to make sure that we leave a legacy and help the kids to go forward.”

Mercer was also presented with a plaque that read, “For your tireless dedication and consistent leadership to the cadets of the Bryan County High School JROTC – never quit!”

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Groups hand out scholarships
RH theater scholarship
Richmond Hill High School senior Jacey Shanholtzer shows her Dawn Harrington Berry Spotlight Award, which was awarded by the Richmond Hill Community Theatre and includes a $500 scholarship. With her are Tom Harris, Ashlee Farris, Brett Berry and Kim Diebold. The award was created in memory of Dawn Harrington Berry, a long time RHCT member and president who died in 2016. - photo by Photo provided.

Three reports recently presented scholarships

Richmond Hill High School senior Jacey Shanholtzer received the Dawn Harrington Berry Spotlight Award, which was awarded by the Richmond Hill Community Theatre and includes a $500 scholarship. The award was created in memory of Dawn Harrington Berry, a long time RHCT member and president who died in 2016.

Garden Club

The Richmond Hill Garden Club recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Katherine Wood and a $500 scholarship to Carly Vargas, both seniors graduating from Richmond Hill High School.

The awards were presented May 8 during Honors Night at RHHS.

Wood plans to attend Green Mountain College in Vermont and major in environmental studies.

Vargas plans to attend Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee, to pursue a degree in either environmental studies or biology.

The garden club awards a $1,000 scholarship annually to a local high school senior who plans to major in a field related to environmental concerns, plants and/or gardening.

This year, due to having two exceptional candidates, the garden club awarded an additional $500 scholarship.

Exchange Club

The Exchange Club of Richmond Hill recently named Caroline Odom as its student of the year.

The club each month during the school year names a student of the month, and the student of the year is chosen from among those winners.

Awards are based on academic performance, community involvement and leadership.

Monthly winners receive $100, with the annual winner getting a $1,000 scholarship.

The Exchange Club has been recognizing students for more than 30 years.

Odom will go on to compete in the Georgia District Exchange Club against students from across the state.

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