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First Recipients of Georgia's Hero Scholarship Recognized at the State Capitol by Governor Perdue

Monday, April 17, 2006  Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774

First Recipients of Georgia’s Hero Scholarship Recognized at the State Capitol by Governor Perdue

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today recognized the first eight recipients of Georgia’s new HERO Scholarship Program. HERO (Helping Educate Reservists and their Offspring) gives financial assistance for college to qualifying members of the Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reservists who served in combat zones and their children.

“All Georgians are proud and deeply appreciative of the service and sacrifices military personnel have made on behalf of our nation and its citizens,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “The HERO Program is one way of saying ‘thank you’ by helping these returning soldiers and their children attend college and prepare for a more prosperous future.”

The first recipients of the HERO scholarships are all dependent children of servicemembers currently serving in Iraq. The scholarship recipients and their guests were recognized by Governor Perdue in the North Wing of the State Capitol. State Senators John Douglas and John Wiles, original sponsors of the legislation creating the HERO Scholarship program; Major General Terry Nesbitt, commanding general of the Georgia Army National Guard; and Timothy Connell, president of the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) were also in attendance.

“These first HERO awards are being made to children of service personnel,” said Tim Connell, GSFC president, which administers the HERO Program. “As time goes by, we hope and expect to see a good mix of both children and their parents who served in the Guard and Reserves taking advantage of this scholarship opportunity.”

To be eligible for a HERO Scholarship, the Guard member or Reservist must be a Georgia resident who served in a combat zone for at least 181 consecutive days beginning on or after May 3, 2005. Eligible children must have been 25 years of age or younger during the qualifying term of service and born prior to or within nine months of the beginning of that service. Children of Guard members and Reservists killed or disabled during such service also are eligible.

Recipients are awarded up to $2,000 per year for each qualifying term of service of 181 consecutive days, for a maximum of $8,000 for four years of study. Awards are prorated when recipients are not enrolled full time. Recipients must attend an institution within the University System of Georgia or the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education, or an eligible private college in Georgia.

For more information regarding Georgia’s HERO Scholarship Program, including a printable application, go to www.GAcollege411.org and click on the “Paying for College” tab.

Today’s scholarship recipients include:

David Alvin Mathis of Albany, Georgia

Georgia Institute of Technology
Current class: Freshman
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Servicemember serving overseas:

  • Staff Sergeant Reginald Jones, father
  • Unit: HHC 2 / 121 Inf Bn (Support Platoon), 48th BCT

Kayla Christina Pickren of Brunswick, Georgia
Coastal Georgia Community College
Current class: Freshman
Major: Elementary Education
Servicemember serving overseas:

  • Staff Sergeant Joseph Richard Pickren Sr., father
  • Unit: 1\118th of the 48th Brigade
    Pickren also has two brothers currently serving overseas:
  • Specialist Joseph Richard Pickren Jr. is in Iraq
  • Staff Sergeant James Allan Pickren is in Korea

Audrey Danielle Bracewell of Tifton, Georgia
Georgia State University
Current class: Senior
Major: History
Servicemember serving overseas:

  • Sergeant First Class Jackie Bracewell, father
  • Unit: HHC, 2 BN 121st IN (M), 48th BCT

Melanie April Roberson of Douglas, Georgia
South Georgia College (East Central Technical College in July 2006)
Current class: Sophomore
Major: Nursing
Servicemember serving overseas:

  • Sergeant David Roberson, father
  • Unit: C.CO. 648th ENG.BN, 48th SIB

Ashley Ann Henderson of Brunswick, Georgia
Georgia College & State University
Current class: Freshman
Major: Chemistry
Servicemember serving overseas:

  • Staff Sergeant Glenn Henderson, father
  • Unit: 1/118th HSB, 48th Brigade

Konica Monique Williams of Milledgeville, Georgia
Paine College
Current class: Sophomore
Major: Biology with a pre-professional emphasis on medicine
Servicemember serving overseas:

  • Staff Sergeant Terrence Williams, father
  • Unit: 48th Brigade

Allen Michael Price of Thomaston, Georgia
Georgia Southern University
Current class: Freshman
Major: Early Childhood Education
Servicemember serving overseas:

  • Staff Sergeant Michael Price, father
  • Unit: HHC 48th BCT

Brittianey Yother of Resaca, Georgia
Dalton State College
Current class: Freshman
Major: Dental Hygiene
Servicemember serving overseas:

  • Sergeant Chris Yother, father
  • Unit: Company C, 1st Battalion, 108 AR

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