12-04-2012, 06:10 PM
Houston, TX - Two high school seniors from Kentucky and Tennessee recently received inaugural $1000 college scholarships funded by Marinas International and co-sponsored and promoted by their respective state marina associations. The presentations were made at the joint marina associations statewide annual conference earlier this month.
The inaugural "Gary Sharp Memorial Scholarship," named in honor of former Kentucky Marina Association Board Member and Marinas International Manager Gary Sharp who passed away in 2009, was presented to Griffin D. Donaldson of Eddyville, KY. Donaldson, a dockhand at Eddy Creek Marina the past two years, plans to attend Murray State University and major in elementary education/special education.
The "Reece Nash Scholarship," named in honor of former Tennessee Marina Association Board Member Reece Nash, also deceased, was won by Logan A. Smith of Bristol, Tennessee. Smith, a dockhand at Laurel Marina & Yacht Club in Bristol, plans to attend East Tennessee State University and study computer engineering.
"The board of directors of both the Kentucky and Tennessee marina associations and Marinas International are very pleased to establish and present these annual scholarships to deserving students," said Marinas International Vice President Mark Stafford, who envisioned and championed the scholarship program. "We were very pleased with our associations' first year efforts, as well as with the quality and caliber of candidates. We are pleased to give back to our respective communities and to recognize the achievements of outstanding young people in these markets."
The scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Candidates must either be an immediate family member (child or spouse) of the statewide marina association, or must be an immediate family member of an individual currently employed by a member in good standing of the respective association. Candidates are also judged on good work ethics, school attendance, civic and extracurricular activities and leadership skills; candidates each submitted 500-word essays detailing their interest in the marine industry.
"We look forward to continuing to build upon these programs and continuing our efforts to help support the educational programs for deserving students associated with our marina families," said Stafford.
ABOUT MARINAS INTERNATIONAL
Marinas International is a privately held company that owns and/or manages 28 marinas in 13 states. Having been active in the marina industry since 1984, Marinas International has successfully brought together leading professionals from the marina industry to build a powerful and effective team. Its recipe for success includes continuing education, renovation, quality control, convenience, and most importantly, providing a fun family atmosphere. It is our goal for all Marinas International marinas, whether owned or managed, to be the preferred recreational experience at, on, or near the water.
For more information about Marinas International, visit www.marinasintl.com
ABOUT KENTUCKY MARINA ASSOCIATION
The Kentucky Marina Association has gained recognition throughout the state as a spokesman for the marine industry. Since its inception in 1976, it has served to provide an organizational structure for owners and operators of marina enterprises who are helping to meet the public's demand for recreational opportunities through private commercial recreation activities, services, facilities and areas. For more information, visit www.kentucky-marinas.com
ABOUT TENNESSEE MARINA ASSOCIATION
The Tennessee Marina Association works with sportsmen, boating and tourism organizations and with public, state and national organizations for the betterment of recreational boating.
As a spokesman for the marina industry in Tennessee, TMA not only provides a strong voice for marina issues, but also provides and maintains an open line of communication between its membership and federal and state organizations in an effort to work together on issues of mutual interest. For more information, visit www.tennesseemarina.com
The inaugural "Gary Sharp Memorial Scholarship," named in honor of former Kentucky Marina Association Board Member and Marinas International Manager Gary Sharp who passed away in 2009, was presented to Griffin D. Donaldson of Eddyville, KY. Donaldson, a dockhand at Eddy Creek Marina the past two years, plans to attend Murray State University and major in elementary education/special education.
The "Reece Nash Scholarship," named in honor of former Tennessee Marina Association Board Member Reece Nash, also deceased, was won by Logan A. Smith of Bristol, Tennessee. Smith, a dockhand at Laurel Marina & Yacht Club in Bristol, plans to attend East Tennessee State University and study computer engineering.
"The board of directors of both the Kentucky and Tennessee marina associations and Marinas International are very pleased to establish and present these annual scholarships to deserving students," said Marinas International Vice President Mark Stafford, who envisioned and championed the scholarship program. "We were very pleased with our associations' first year efforts, as well as with the quality and caliber of candidates. We are pleased to give back to our respective communities and to recognize the achievements of outstanding young people in these markets."
The scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Candidates must either be an immediate family member (child or spouse) of the statewide marina association, or must be an immediate family member of an individual currently employed by a member in good standing of the respective association. Candidates are also judged on good work ethics, school attendance, civic and extracurricular activities and leadership skills; candidates each submitted 500-word essays detailing their interest in the marine industry.
"We look forward to continuing to build upon these programs and continuing our efforts to help support the educational programs for deserving students associated with our marina families," said Stafford.
ABOUT MARINAS INTERNATIONAL
Marinas International is a privately held company that owns and/or manages 28 marinas in 13 states. Having been active in the marina industry since 1984, Marinas International has successfully brought together leading professionals from the marina industry to build a powerful and effective team. Its recipe for success includes continuing education, renovation, quality control, convenience, and most importantly, providing a fun family atmosphere. It is our goal for all Marinas International marinas, whether owned or managed, to be the preferred recreational experience at, on, or near the water.
For more information about Marinas International, visit www.marinasintl.com
ABOUT KENTUCKY MARINA ASSOCIATION
The Kentucky Marina Association has gained recognition throughout the state as a spokesman for the marine industry. Since its inception in 1976, it has served to provide an organizational structure for owners and operators of marina enterprises who are helping to meet the public's demand for recreational opportunities through private commercial recreation activities, services, facilities and areas. For more information, visit www.kentucky-marinas.com
ABOUT TENNESSEE MARINA ASSOCIATION
The Tennessee Marina Association works with sportsmen, boating and tourism organizations and with public, state and national organizations for the betterment of recreational boating.
As a spokesman for the marina industry in Tennessee, TMA not only provides a strong voice for marina issues, but also provides and maintains an open line of communication between its membership and federal and state organizations in an effort to work together on issues of mutual interest. For more information, visit www.tennesseemarina.com