The Thomas and Bettie O'Briant Memorial Scholarship

     The selection committee is pleased to present the 2008 recipient, Amber McGraw, a recent graduate of Northwest Guilford High School.  She will attend NC State in the fall where she plans to major in psychology.  While in high school, Amber was a member of the National Honor Society and the dance team, she participated in the Science Olympiad, and she was a member of the band.  She was able to maintain a 4.667 GPA while taking Advanced Placement Classes during her junior and senior years.  She is an active member and volunteer at her church and performs many community service projects throughout the year.  Even with all of these activities, Amber worked throughout her high school years to save money for her college education.

     In addition, the selection committee is pleased to announce the renewal of scholarships to Amanda Adams (2007), Melissa Jefferson (2006) and Jennifer Millisor (2005).  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, 5700 Cardinal Way, Greensboro, NC  27410.  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. 

     This year, 2008, marks the 25^th anniversary of the Thomas and Bettie O’Briant Memorial Scholarship.  During this period, 27 Guilford County High School students have been awarded a total of $95,000.  This scholarship began in 1983 with a one-time $1000 award presented to its first recipient.  The primary funding source was the Cardinal Amateur Golf Tournament.  Since that time, it has grown into a $1500 award presented annually and renewable for four years of higher education.  The scholarship is now funded by proceeds from the golf tournament as well as an annual raffle supported by the community and private/corporate donations.  It is financially managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro with the Cardinal Scholarship Selection Committee choosing the recipient.

     The Thomas and Bettie O’Briant Memorial Scholarship is named in memory of these outstanding community leaders.  Both Tom and Bettie were avid and accomplished golfers, supporters of the Cardinal Amateur Golf Tournament, and leaders in the community in their support of young people in need.  The primary focus of this scholarship is to assist rising college freshmen who might otherwise struggle to achieve a higher education. 

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!