The Lawton Scholarship grows each spring with awards going to successful students from our area high schools. 

Currently, there are 10 active scholars. Kenyatta Hutchinson and Maria Moreno will graduate in May 2021 from the University of Georgia (UGA). Eli Ramsey is a junior at Auburn University; Will McCommons and Kristian Magee are sophomores at UGA, and Destiny Arwood is in her second year at Athens Technical College. Three of the four most recently announced Lawton Scholars began their college pursuits this fall: Jessica Patino at Georgia Tech; Zach Tolleson at Covenant College; and Ricquaria Griggs at the Savannah College of Arts and Design (SCAD). McGinnis Bryan will begin at UGA in January 2021. 

The pandemic has brought with it some interesting challenges to all students, and the Lawton Scholars are no exception. Greg and Anna Lawton used a Zoom call recently to check in, and six of the 10 scholars were able to join the call and talk about how things are going for them. All indicated that they were doing well and staying safe. Most of their classes are online with the exception of some labs they must attend in person. All the Scholars said they missed actually going to a class and interacting with others, but they said their professors had been accessible and helpful. Most of them indicated that their exams would be online and that some would be project-based rather than typical tests. 

The students are using their experiences to discover things about college and about themselves, some of which is surprising to them. Sophomore Kristian Magee is studying to be an educator, and she referred to this fall as a “self-discovery semester.” She said she had thought she wanted to teach math but has discovered that she is better at teaching language arts. Freshman Ricquaria Griggs said she had learned that in college, “they really do treat you like an adult.” She has had to schedule all her own classes and figure out how to manage things on her own. But she said it had been a positive experience. Others also said their career focus may shift because of something they had done for a project or learned from their class work. 

As for campus life, they all said there isn’t much of it. UGA senior Kenyatta Hutchinson said it is really strange walking on campus and not seeing a lot of students. Ricquaria Griggs said that at SCAD, they have temperature kiosks at the entry to the cafeteria, so everyone has to stop there before entering. The measures taken on campuses are being done to protect students and faculty alike, but it makes for a strange learning environment and a very limited social life.

Several students are involved in campus organization even though they are having to meet virtually and not do as many activities. UGA senior Maria Moreno is tutoring elementary school students at an on-campus location and completing her application to graduate school, which she hopes to start next fall. Freshman Jessi Patino is part of a Residence Hall Association that meets virtually and plans activities for students living in the dorms. She is also working part time near Georgia Tech’s campus. But even with these additional things, the Scholars are keeping up with their classes. All expressed confidence that they will finish well at the end of the fall semester. 

One of the most unique parts of the Lawton Scholarship is the mentoring the students receive from the Lawton family. Founders Greg and Anna Lawton stay in touch through email, phone calls and now, Zoom conferences, and they support the Scholars in all phases of their college experience. From the newest freshmen to the most seasoned seniors, these students achieve success through dedication to and discipline in their work. They are strong role models for Greene County and are excellent representatives of the vision the Lawton family has for the Scholars.