Ball wins Norwood scholarship

Catherine "Kitty" Ball won the first annual Charlie Norwood Scholarship at Lincoln County High School Awards Night. The West Point bound senior's essay on "How has the Republican Party changed and not changed since Abraham Lincoln?" took top honors.

Nelson Brooks, who was filling in for Gloria Norwood, made the award of $1,111.11.

Congressman Charlie Norwood was a friend of Lincoln County and all veterans. Charlie had been quoted as saying that "no matter how the 10th District was drawn, Lincoln County was always in it." Charlie was recognized as a true spokesman for the people in Washington and a tough fighter by President George Bush. He passed away recently and his widow Gloria gave the Lincoln County Republican Party $500 from his campaign funds.

Mrs. Norwood planned to award the scholarship in person but Awards Night was moved from Tuesday to Monday night. Mrs. Norwood works with inner city girls on Monday nights and said, "I just can't let my girls down." Brooks, in making the award, thanked Mrs. Norwood; the essay judges who donated their time, J.B. Mathews and Brett McGuire and the LCHS English and Social Studies departments for grooming such eloquent and insightful students.

Brooks went on to say that the decision on what to do with the donation was a hard one - "Road signs or scholarship? Road signs or scholarship? Road signs or schoilarship?" But then the audience agreed with laughter that the right decision was made. Brooks later said that junkmail ran a distant third.

Miss Ball's essay was thoroughly researched and presented in a very professional manner. Her source material included history, political science, sociology and current affairs. Her conclusion was that the Republican Party has not really changed that much in 150 years. Not surprising considering that the founders believed that all men were absolutely created equal.

Miss Ball is headed to West Point in the fall. When Mrs. Norwood learned this, she was delighted. First, that the winner was a girl; and second, that she was headed to the United States Military Academy. "Charlie and I enjoyed so much helping 10 District young people with their appointments to the academies. This way we get to help one more."

Plans are to award this scholarship every year to Lincoln County seniors. The essays are submitted to the Republican Party anonymously with LCHS Counselor Ellen Butler retaining the students' names and college plans. Brooks said that way the essays would be judged solely on content and form, and "politics" would not be a factor. Next year's essay topic will be decided in the fall. Miss Ball's essay raised some very interesting questions and may just provide the basis for next year's topic.

A fall golf tournament is planned to help fund the scholarships. Mrs. Butler has approved work on the tournament for community service credits for Lincoln County juniors. Details will be published in The Journal and through the Lincoln County High School Guidance Counselor's office. Congratulations to Kitty Ball for a job well done!