The winners of the 2014 Trooper Shawn Blanton Memorial Scholarship are (left-right): Erin West, Andrews; Molly Kerr, Clyde A. Erwin; Morgan Sisk, Rosman; Tristan Woodall, Tuscola; Ashley Doolin, Smoky Mountain; Kendra Kirkland, Swain; and not pictured – Morgan Scholtz, Enka. (Photo contributed)
The Trooper Shawn Blanton Memorial Scholarship Fund held their 7th annual fund raiser at Sequoyah National Golf Club in Jackson County on Saturday, June 14. . At the conclusion of the fundraiser, the 2014 Scholarship winners were announced.
The winners were selected among numerous applications received from multiple counties across western North Carolina and included: Erin West, Andrews; Molly Kerr, Clyde A. Erwin; Morgan Sisk, Rosman; Tristan Woodall, Tuscola; Ashley Doolin, Smoky Mountain; Kendra Kirkland, Swain; and Morgan Scholtz, Enka.
To qualify for the scholarship, each applicant must be participating in their high school softball program, be a senior, be accepted to a university or a college, and present a letter requesting consideration for the scholarship.
Each winner received a $1000 scholarship to go towards the expenses related with furthering their education.
Trooper Blanton was shot and killed on I-40 in Haywood County while conducting a traffic stop on June 17, 2008. After his death, his father, David Blanton, organized a Scholarship Fund for young ladies who played high school softball that wanted to further their education. Trooper Blanton was the head JV softball coach at Smoky Mountain High School and an avid recreational softball player. Since beginning the scholarship, there has been $32,000 given to help these ladies pursue their education.
David Blanton, the entire Blanton family, and the Board of Directors related they would like to thank all of the participants and sponsors who make this event possible year after year.
– Trooper Shawn Blanton Memorial Scholarship
