Local foundation presents scholarship awards

Permian Honor Scholarship Foundation Inc. has awarded scholarships totaling $265,000 to Permian Basin students who wish to pursue their education at Howard College in Big Spring, Midland College, New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, Odessa College and The University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

The Permian Presidential Scholarship award recipients are Kelsi B. Hays, Alyssa K. Murphy and Christian T. Whalen. They were each awarded a $15,600 scholarship.

In order to qualify for a Permian Presidential award, a student must rank in the top 2 percent of his/her graduating class and score a minimum 29 on the ACT or 1200 on the SAT college exams. All three students were awarded scholarships to attend the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

Hays, daughter of Johnny and Sherry Hays of Monahans, plans to major in child and family studies. Her scholarship sponsors are West Texas State Bank, Smith and Rives, CPA's of Monahans and UTPB.

Murphy, daughter of James and Karla Murphy of Odessa, plans to major in biology and minor in music.

Her scholarship sponsors are Dunagan Foundation of Monahans and UTPB.

Whalen, daughter of Denn and Cheri Whalen of Odessa, plans to major in biomedical engineering and minor in biology.

Her scholarship sponsors are Dunagan Foundation of Monahans, the H. Warren Gardner Memorial Scholarship of Midland and UTPB.

Other award recipients are: Zachary B. Barner, Spenser E. Bowhay, Joshua R. Clark, Spencer W. Drake, Alexandria L. Faubion, Daniel H. Gray III, William R. Hefty, Hollie L. Hutson, Jason P. Jones, Ryan D. Kidd, Breanna L. Pugh, Samantha L. Rivera and Lukas T. Weeden, all of Odessa; Cameron J. McQueen of Andrews; Allison M. Ward of Big Springs; Colter S. Morgan of Coahoma; E. Celeste Villegas of Crane; Mathew L. Brown, Erica K. Lee and Jamie L. Roberts, all of Midland; Sydney A. Dycus of Monahans; Maritza Acosta and Matthew Florez, both of Pecos.

Since 1977, the foundation has awarded 2,374 area students with scholarships totaling $5,731,000. The foundation was established by J. Conrad and Kathlyn Cosper Dunagan, to provide scholarships to area high school graduates in order for them to remain in the Permian Basin for their higher education.

For more information about the foundation, call 552-2832.