Marlon Longacre, Chair of the Education Committe and the Big Shanty Festival is proud to share the KMHS students that were awarded scholarships at the April meeting of the Kennesaw Business Association. KBA members get to know many of these students as they are interns at our meetings and volunteers at our various functions. Funds for these scholarships are raised by the Big Shanty Festival.
THE DR. FRANK BOONE COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP
The Dr. Frank Boone Community Service Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Kennesaw Mountain High School who demonstrates strong commitment to the value of serving the local community. Dr. Frank Boone was the founder of the Kennesaw Business Association, and served as president four times (1975, 1978, 1983 and 1995). He had a deep love for Kennesaw and was the moving force for the purchase of the properties that now comprise Swift Cantrell Park and Smith Gilbert Gardens. Representing Dr. Boone is his wife, Barbara.
THE DR. FRANK BOONE COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP IS AWARDED TO: DESTINY KLUCK
Destiny graduates from Kennesaw Mountain High School’s STEM Magnet Program with a 4.6 grade point average. She is a member of National Honor Society, Key Club, Speakers’ League, Model UN, Future Health Care Providers, Junior Latin Classical League, Science Club, Science Olympiad, Mu Alpha Theta, and several other clubs and organizations. Destiny is a section editor of the Mustang Messenger and the executive editor of the Kennesaw Mountain Magnet Newsletter. High school awards and honors include the Prudential Spirit Award Bronze Medalist, World Science Scholar, and Governor’s Honors Program Semi-Finalist.
At just 1 day old, Destiny was left at a bus station with a note proclaiming her date of birth. She was then dropped off at an orphanage with hundreds of other children impacted by China’s One Child Policy. Destiny developed her own platform, “Foster for Love, Adopt for Life” where she focuses on spreading awareness, increasing donations, and encouraging volunteerism. Destiny has promoted her platform through personal achievements, such as her participation in the Miss American’s Outstanding Teen Program where she was 1st runner up in 2018. She was honored as a representative in Distinguished Young Women of Georgia in 2020 and hopes to use this position to inspire families to foster and adopt. Destiny was awarded the Posse Scholar of Atlanta to Brandeis University in 2020 and plans to continue her advocacy for adoption into her college career. Destiny will attend Brandeis University to major in Health, Science, Society and Policy, and attend their pre-medical advisement program.
THE JRM MANAGEMENT CHARACTER SCHOLARSHIP
The JRM MANAGEMENT Character Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Kennesaw Mountain High School who demonstrates moral integrity and commitment to building individual strength of character through their commitment to excellence in scholastic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and community service. JRM Management Services are Event Specialists, coordinating and overseeing concerts, “Taste of…” events, arts and craft shows, festivals, golf tournaments and several fairs including the North Georgia State Fair for over 35 years. In addition the company manages four Cobb County business associations. JRM Management was named the Kennesaw Citizen of the Year in 2017 by the Chamber of Commerce and KBA Community Citizens of the Year in 2020.
THE JRM MANAGEMENT CHARACTER SCHOLARSHIP IS AWARDED TO CLAIRE HIETT
Claire is graduating from Kennesaw Mountain High School with a 3.9 grade point average. She has been a dual enrollment student, earning 54 credit hours at Chattahoochee Tech.
As a performer with the Great Gig Dance Ensemble for the past 6 years, Claire has shared her time and talent at all the community festivals that help raise money for our local schools and charities. Through her time at Great Gig Dance Co. and her part-time employment at Fun Fare, Claire has witnessed firsthand the value of community building through involvement.
Claire has been a Student Athletic Trainer for Kennesaw Mountain High School’s Sports Medicine Program, and has earned 2 varsity letters for Sports Medicine. She was named head student athletic trainer in 2020. She is also the Events Officer of National Honor Society for Dance Arts, and was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success. Claire plans to attend the University of North Georgia to obtain a doctorate in Physical Therapy.
THE KENNESAW MAYORAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Mayoral Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Kennesaw Mountain High School who demonstrates leadership skills through their involvement in student government and/or community-based organizations. This award is presented by the current Mayor of Kennesaw, Derek Easterling. Derek is in his second term as mayor and is the Commander of the North Cobb-Harrison JROTC at North Cobb High School.
THE KENNESAW MAYORAL SCHOLARSHIP IS AWARDED TO: AVERY WATSON
Avery graduates from Kennesaw Mountain High School with a 4.5 grade point average. She is a Georgia National Merit Scholar, was Ms. KMHS, selected to the KMHS Hall of Fame, earned a varsity letter in Swimming, and was a Top 5 Finalist for the Georgia Tech Inventure Program.
Avery was selected and served as a Kennesaw Business Association Intern, a Narwhal Capital Management Intern, and a Novelis Intern. She is a Kennesaw Parks and Recreation Committee member. Avery has been a Mane Link member, serving as the Student Body President, the Junior Class President, and the Sophomore Class President. She is a member of the Principal Advisory Council, Spanish National Honor Society, Science Club, National Honor Society, Athletic Advisory Council and Key Club.
Avery says that through her involvement in Mane Link and KBA, she has learned that service makes as much, or more of an impact on her as it does on others. She states that the smallest acts of kindness can change a person’s whole outlook on life as well as her own.
Avery will attend Wake Forest University in the fall and major in their undergraduate Business and Enterprise Management Program. She is the recipient of the Wake Forest Alumni Merit Scholarship.
THE MARK BARRE VISUAL ARTS SCHOLARSHIP
The Mark Barre Visual Arts Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who demonstrates talent and excellence in the field of visual arts. Mark Barre was President of the KBA in 2014. He owns Image 360, a signage and graphics design and production company in Kennesaw.
THE MARK BARRE VISUAL ARTS SCHOLARSHIP IS AWARDED TO: NELAYNA EDWARDS
NeLayna is graduating from Kennesaw Mountain High School. She participated in Track and Field, was the co-founder of the BOND organization, and was named Graphic Designer of the Year. NeLayna has been employed at Nothing Bundt Cakes and also as a paid intern with Inkwell Publishing Company, LLC.
NeLayna holds a 3.7 grade point average. She has a heart for helping the homeless in her community. She plans to attend Georgia State University to study Marketing and Business.
THE RON COCHRAN SPIRIT SCHOLARSHIP
The Ron Cochran Spirit Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who demonstrates strength of character and moral integrity through Christian faith-based pursuits. The late Ron Cochran was President of KBA in 1988. He was a positive, outgoing man and loved life. Ron Cochran was well known for his sense of humor and storytelling. Representing Ron Cochran is his wife, Peggy Cochran
THE RON COCHRAN SPIRIT SCHOLARSHIP IS AWARDED TO: DAVID HUTCHINS
David is graduating from Kennesaw Mountain High School with a 4.1 grade point average. He is active in his church and has spent 6-7 hours volunteering each week and leading the youth group. He has served in a global way by acting as a friend to orphans overseas. David has participated in Shop With a Mustang each year during high school. He was an intern at Gaskins Survey and Engineering, and worked at Chick-fil-a.
During his time at KMHS, David played Golf and Lacrosse. He also participated in the Ultimate Frisbee Club and the Table Tennis Club. David credits his father with teaching him the value of investing in your community. He plans to attend either the University of Georgia or the Auburn University, to pursue a degree in History that will prepare him for Law School.
THE SUE GUNDERMAN SERVANT LEADER SCHOLARSHIP
The Sue Gunderman Servant Leader Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Kennesaw Mountain High School who has demonstrated perseverance and drive as a leader in the school and local community. Sue Gunderman was the first Principal of Kennesaw Mountain High School. Under her leadership, KMHS gained national recognition for its exemplary academic accomplishments as well as its outstanding Service Learning and Character Education programs.
THE SUE GUNDERMAN SERVANT LEADER SCHOLARSHIP IS AWARDED TO: AYUSHA PRASAD
Ayusha is graduating from Kennesaw Mountain High School’s STEM Magnet Program with a 4.7 grade point average. She was selected and served as a Kennesaw Business Association Intern, an ITW Contamination Control Electronics Intern, and worked at Bruster’s Ice Cream. Ayusha was Student Body Vice-President, Junior Class Vice-President and Sophomore Class Vice-President. She is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and the Magnet Advisory Board. She ran Cross Country, worked on KMHS Special Needs Fields Days and acted as the KMHS Special Needs Dance Coordinator.
Ayusha received the Georgia Certificate of Merit, a Harvard Book Award, and a Louis Pasteur Biology Award. She was voted “Most Involved” by her peers and to the KMHS Hall of Fame by faculty.
Ayusha will attend Georgia Tech University, to study Biomedical Engineering, and is excited to work with innovative technologies to help solve problems in the medical field and help those on the front lines change lives.
THE SUE PICARDI MATH AND SCIENCE MAGNET SCHOLARSHIP
The Sue Picardi Math and Science Magnet Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from the Kennesaw Mountain High School Magnet Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology who demonstrates excellence in academic performance. Sue Picardi served as a member of the KBA Board of Directors for 8 years, was highly active and influential on the KBA Education Committee, and is the co-owner of Active Financial Group in Kennesaw. Presenting this award today is Shelly Elder, owner of Crane Elder Law Firm and the 2020 KBA President.
THE SUE PICARDI MATH AND SCIENCE MAGNET SCHOLARSHIP IS AWARDED TO: ISABELLE DAY
Isabelle is graduating from Kennesaw Mountain High School with a 4.7 grade point average. She was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by her peers, and to the KMHS Hall of Fame by the faculty.
Isabelle is a varsity distance runner in Track and Field, and the Varsity Team Captain for Cross Country. She a member of National Honor Society, Mane Link, Model UN, Science Olympiad, Speech Club, and other organizations. Isabelle is a Georgia Certificate of Merit recipient, a National AP Scholar and an AP Scholar with Distinction. She has volunteered with Special Olympics, Shop With a Mustang, and the KMHS Special Education Dance.
Isabelle’s grandfather’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease inspired her to study medicine, particularly Neurodegenerative Diseases. She will be attending Northwestern University to major in Neuroscience.
THE WALLY ZIMMERMAN VOCATIONAL, ENGINEERING, AND COMPUTER SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP
The Wally Zimmerman Vocational, Engineering and Computer Science Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Kennesaw Mountain High School who demonstrates excellence in educational pursuits. Wally Zimmerman was President of KBA in 1998. He is an avid believer in vocational education, having owned Crashmasters, an automotive body shop in Kennesaw for several years.
THE WALLY ZIMMERMAN VOCATIONAL, ENGINEERING, AND COMPUTER SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP WINNER IS: JACOB LEE
Jacob is the President and founder of Tech Gap Reboot Foundation, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit that provides digital-based learning solutions to underserved children both locally in Atlanta and internationally in Peru. After founding TGR in 2018, Jacob has recruited more than 30 Kennesaw Mountain High School teachers, peers, and retired teachers to help at-risk students complete their schoolwork and develop their passion for learning. He has raised more than $50,000 for this non-profit.
Jacob was a KBA Intern, Senior and Junior Class Treasurer at KMHS, played Lacrosse, and has earned the ranking of Eagle Scout. He was voted “Most Involved” by his peers, and to the KMHS Hall of Fame by the faculty. He received the Georgia Youth Leadership Award – one of 21 Georgia high school students selected by the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 and other Georgia professionals for outstanding community leadership in 2020.
Jacob was a 2020 state nominee for Governor’s Honors in Physics. He is member of National Honor Society and a National AP Scholar. He participated in a charity hike in Tanzania, Africa in 2017 and successfully summited Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Jacob graduates from Kennesaw Mountain High School with a 4.67 grade point average. He plans to attend Georgia Tech to major in Aerospace Engineering.