The Thomas and Bettie O'Briant Memorial Scholarship

 
   

   The Thomas and Bettie O'Briant Memorial scholarship is all aboutgiving back to the young people in our Guilford County community.  Golf tournaments on all levels seek to be involved in community charitable activities.  The Cardinal Amateur has been a leader in this endeavor dating back to 1983 when the first educational scholarship was announced.  The scholarship has grown from a one time $1000 award in 1983 to the current 4 year $1500 award.  A total of $6000 is awarded each year from the scholarship foundation.  The non-profit scholarship is administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro and is open to any rising college freshman graduating from a Guilford County High School.  The award is based primarily on the basis of need.  The Thomas and Bettie O'Briant Memorial Scholarship is funded from proceeds received from the Cardinal Amateur Golf Tournament, a raffle held in conjunction with the golf tournament, as well as corporate and private donations.  To date, 28 students have been awarded $101,000.
     The Thomas and Bettie O'Briant Memorial Scholarship selection committee is pleased to present the 2009 recipient, Karley Saffer.  Karley is a recent graduate of Southern Guilford High School and will attend UNC-Chapel Hill where she hopes to major in mathematics and biology, leading to pre-medicine.  While in high school she became interested in medicine as she served as the athletic trainer for the men's soccer team and football team.  Karley was an outstanding academic student graduating 3rd in her class of 168 and receiving numerous academic awards throughout her high school career.  She was a member of the National Honor Society and served as president her senior year.  Karley was an active volunteer in our community through her association with girl scouts where she received the bronze and silver awards, church associations, and school clubs/projects.  One of her teachers described Karley using the words "dependable, intelligent, mature, talented, and motivated".  Another teacher gave her a favorite life lesson quote:  "Don't let short-term satisfaction override long-term goals".  We know this commitment will serve her well as she begins her college career at the University of North Carolina.
           The Thomas and Bettie O'Briant Scholarship selection committee is also pleased to announce the renewal of the scholarships to Melissa Jefferson (2006) attending UNCG, Amanda Adams (2007) attending UNC-Chapel Hill, and to Amber McGraw (2008) attending NC State.  Congratulations to all of these outstanding students.
     Tax-deductible contributions to the Thomas and Bettie O'Briant Memorial Scholarship can be made at any time throughout the year at the Cardinal Golf and Country Club.   Anyone wishing to make a donation in honor or memory of family or friends is encouraged to consider the Thomas and Bettie O'Briant Memorial Scholarship.

Some observations by one of the Fund Directors:

If the Cardinal Amateur is important for no other reason, this scholarship makes it worthwhile.  Involvement in the scholarship fund has been one of the most moving and meaningful endeavors in my life.  In 1983, the organizers of the Cardinal Am began a fund to provide a scholarship to a deserving young person in Guilford County and since that date the tournament has been its primary source of funds.  The most important criteria for this award is need.  It is our desire to make the difference in some young person's life--we look at family finances, work record, extracurricular activities, personal references and volunteer experience when choosing among the many worthy candidates.  We choose the one who, with our help, can make it through college.  During all the years of the fund every recipient has graduated in four years.

Each year, the directors sift through thirty-five to forty applications.  The choice is never easy.  In the past we chose one young lady who was barely existing on food stamps while living with an aunt in return for baby-sitting--she graduated with a degree in nursing because of us--our support, both emotional and financial, made the difference.  Another success story is that of Holly Woodward who graduated in 2003 from NC State, Summa Cum Laude!