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Lee University has awarded nine incoming freshmen the 2022 Rymer Scholarship. The three Gold Scholars, three Silver Scholars, and three Bronze Scholars were chosen from Bradley Central High School (BCHS), Cleveland High School (CHS), and Walker Valley High School (WVHS). These students were honored during a luncheon on Wednesday, April 27.

The Rymer Foundation, established in 1989 by Hoyle Rymer and his father, Robert Rymer, awards the scholarships annually. The award honors exceptional achievement and encourages local high school students to continue their education in Cleveland. Since the scholarship’s inception, more than 200 students have earned the title “Rymer Scholar.”

The Lee University President’s Office, along with the principals from all three high schools, appointed the selection committee. The committee reviewed the applications and conducted interviews with each finalist. Scholars were assessed based on their leadership in extracurricular, athletic, and church-based activities, high school rank, grade point average, college entrance exam scores, and the interview.

This year’s Rymer Gold Scholars are Roman Davis (CHS), Amanda Ledford (BCHS), and Belle Owens (WVHS). They will each receive a scholarship of $10,000.

Davis is the son of Kraig and Athena Davis. He is ranked 35 in his class of 373 and has a GPA of 3.84. He is a Raider Scholar, part of the National Honor Society, and a member of the cross country and tennis teams at Cleveland High. Davis is involved in the South Cleveland Church of God children’s program, coordinating activities for and interacting with children in foster care and those whose parents struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. He is also part of various outreach ministries and missions teams, along with working at the Cleveland Country Club and Garden Plaza at Cleveland assisted living community.

Ledford is the daughter of Anthony and Angela Ledford. She has a GPA of 4.0 and is second in her class of 372. She is historian for student council, part of the Beta Club, the secretary of Health Occupation Student of America (HOSA), involved in the Cleveland Bradley Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership, and the senior class representative of Gear-Up Leadership Team. Ledford has received the Outstanding Freshman in English award at Lee, along with the Bear Scholar Award at BCHS. She has hundreds of hours of community service, including over 100 as a volunteer at the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Owens, daughter of Brian and Kelly Owens, is ranked 33 of 357 and has a GPA of 4.0. She is part of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, the Drama Club, and the Chamber Choir, with whom she has also participated in All-East and All-State competitions. Owens has volunteered at North Cleveland Church of God in various ways including in the nursey, the youth worship team and media team, the main service choir, and the usher team. In 2021, she received first place at Teen Talent in ceramics and large group skit and second place in small ensemble.

The 2022 Rymer Silver Scholars are Jayli Corbett (CHS), Ethan Gallaher (CHS), and Kaeli Standridge (WVHS). They will each receive a scholarship of $5,000.

Corbett is the daughter of Roxanne and Nathan Corbett and is ranked 59 of 387 in her class with a GPA of 3.53. Corbett is a Raider Scholar, a member of HOSA, and has received the U.S. History Award and the English III Award. She is also involved in the art club, the International Club, and the Civitan’s Club, along with participating in the CVS Pharmacy Externship Program. Corbett is a frequent blood donor and serves at Spring Place Church as a custodial volunteer, in the food drive, and on the worship team. She has organized peaceful demonstrations on gun-violence awareness and worked with children at Vacation Bible School and at an international church assembly.

Gallaher, son of Heather and Edward Manno and Brett Gallaher, has a GPA of 4.0 and is first in his class of 373. He is a Raider Scholar, in the Science National Honor Society, and has received the Spanish I Award and the Engineering Department Award. Gallaher is part of the Aviation Club, the Math Team, and is president of FIRST Robotics. At Eastwood Church, he is involved in various outreaches, including the annual Ocoee Outreach, where he rebuilds homes in the Ocoee area.

Standridge is the daughter of Cody and Amanda Standridge. She is ranked 40 of 357 and has a GPA of 3.88. She is part of the WVHS Chamber Choir and was chosen for the All-East Tennessee Choir and All-State Choirs. At Westmore Church of God, Standridge is part of the youth worship team and the youth leadership team, along with serving in the children’s ministry. In 2021, she won first place for small ensemble and large ensemble at Teen Talent. Standridge has also been a writer for the local magazine GoodNews and participated in Clemson University’s Forensic Science Summer Camp.

The Rymer Bronze Scholars are Caroline Clark (CHS), Jessie Henderson (BCHS), and Anna Lawry (WVHS). They will each receive a scholarship of $2,000.

Clark is the daughter of Greg and Joda Clark and is ranked first in her class with a GPA of 4.0. She is a Raider Scholar, a section leader in CHS marching band, part of National Honor Society, a representative of the Health Department Health Council Advisory, and was selected for the CHS clinical internship position. She was on the CHS varsity tennis team until a shoulder injury prevented her further participation. She is also a member of the Future Health Professionals Club, the art club, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. At First Baptist Church, Clark volunteers in childcare and at various youth and community service projects.

Henderson, daughter of Charles and Mary Henderson, is fourth in her class of 372 and has a GPA of 4.0. She is part of National Honor Society, the Beta Club, Link Crew, the BCHS theatre department, and Gear-Up Leadership Team. Henderson has volunteered at Waterville Baptist Church, New Hope Pregnancy Care Center, and Red Clay State Historic Park. She has participated in the National History Day competition numerous times, creating documentaries for presentations, and has won the Captain Ken Coskey Naval Award for her documentaries in 2020 and 2021. She also presented one of her documentaries at the Alpha Delta Kappa Presentation in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Lawry is the daughter of Scott and Rachel Lawry. She has a GPA of 3.96 and is ranked 12 in her class of 357 She has earned the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish and is a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, and National English Honors Society, along with being the head of public relations in the drama club. She is also a four-year member of Circle of Champions and a member of the Cleveland/Bradley County Youth Leadership Chamber of Commerce. At Trinity Presbyterian Church, she is part of the worship team and a volunteer at Vacation Bible School.

All monetary awards will be dispersed to the winners over a period of four years.

For more information about the Rymer Scholarship, contact Lee’s Office of Admissions at [email protected] or (423) 614-8500.