Our Bonita A. Reynolds Memorial Scholarship Recipients

 Mr. Elijah Joseph Cofer

Elijah is the son of Reverend Edgar and Mrs. Rachel Cofer.  He attended Tascosa High School, where he was a member of the football team.  His coach says “Elijah has been the ideal student athlete.  He has demonstrated an outstanding work ethic and maintained a clear since of purpose.”
 
Student athletes at Tascosa are asked to commit to long hours of work, and he not only fulfilled his athletic commitments, but did so while taking challenging academic course.  Elijah also played Basketball for two (2) years and ran track for four (4).  He led with distinction and gained the respect of his fellow athletes.
He is a leader on and off the field and can be seen at many school events supporting his fellow classmates. Elijah demonstrates the characteristics and held in high esteem by not only his fellow classmates, but all his coaches.
 
He states, “I am very excited about going to college”, as he will be the first male in his family to attend an institution of Higher Education. He knows that college will be different from high school, but he is ready to meet the challenge. 
 
He accepted the call into the Ministry at a very young age and states, “My Grandfather often told me that the sky was the limit to what you can have if you work hard enough for it.”  He remembers that a fixed head and a fixed heart make a great combination.
 
He knows that getting an education is a way to learn from the centuries of the life and hard work of others.
 
He plans to attend Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, New Mexico, where he will major in Chemical Engineering.

 

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Ms. Valarie Christina Miles

 
Ms. Miles is a graduate of the Amarillo High School Class of 2019. 

While attending Amarillo High, she was a member of the Amarillo High Choir, Peer Assisted Leadership Program, and the National Honor Society. She took all AP courses throughout her four years at Amarillo High and was a six (6) semester Amarillo Independent School District (AISD) Superintendent Scholar.  She lettered in Academics and Choir.   She performed in the Texas All-State Choir.
 
Valarie performed with the Amarillo Opera, competed in several Piano and Vocal competitions.  She served as the Amarillo Downtown Lions Club Queen.
 
She would like to thank the Carver Golden Dragons Association (CGDA) for this Scholarship
 
Valarie is a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church.  She hopes that her family, friends, and community will continue to keep her in her prayers as she heads off to college and her future.

 

******************"Ones to Watch"*************************
 

Ms Kashynna Polite

 

Kashynna is the daughter of Rory and Shelia Polite. She was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. 
 
She attended Tascosa High School where she was a member of the Cheerleading Squad.  She would travel to cheer for the football, volleyball, and basketball games in support of her classmates during their sporting events.  Being a member of this squad, she was involved in fundraising.  This squad also participated in community service where they attended younger children’s birthday parties.
 
Kashynna is also a Senior in the Girl Scouts of America and is currently working on her Gold Award.  She is currently working on an exercise plan for children that live in foster homes to give them organized activities while getting fit.
 
She plans to attend Prairie View A&M University, in Prairie View, Texas, where she plans to major in Criminal Justice and eventually become a Criminal Attorney.  She says she’s very interested in Law and Forensics. 

Kashynna has already studied and attended Law Enforcement and Criminal Investigation. She took Forensics during her Junior year and says in ten years she pictures herself being a Criminal Attorney so she can do good deeds in the community.
 
She has two sisters and a brother. She attends Emmanuel Temple, where Bishop Elisha Demerson is the pastor.

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 Mr. Bennie “BJ” Anderson

"BJ" is the great-great grandson of the late Professor S. C. Patten, founder of Patten High School which later became George Washington Carver Junior and High School, the first black school in Amarillo.  He says, “Education has always been enforced in his family, since he comes from a long line of educators.”
 
“BJ” attended Tascosa High School and was a student athlete and was on the basketball and the track teams.  “BJ” has been a leader both in and out of the classroom and was admired by his peers and the administration at Tascosa. “BJ” was looked to by his peers for his insight and words of wisdom.   He eluded positive energy and was considered an asset of the student body.
 
His future plan is to attend Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, and play basketball. In addition to playing basketball, his plan is to major in Mass Media.  He feels this will give him the opportunity to pursue Sports Broadcasting.  He chose this career choice because of his love of sports, and he loves talking to people about sports. “BJ” feels he is well equipped to grow from challenges that he maybe presented with.
 

*************The Next Generation of Dragons***************
 

Mr. Samuel Howard “Charlie” Burrell

He is the son of Milford and Anita Burrell and was born in Amarillo.

His nick name is “Charlie” that name has stayed with him to the point that no one knows his name is Samuel. 

He attends the Carver Early Academy (CEA) and is currently a 5^th grade student. He aspires to become a Judge one day, however; with his computer and Game Master skills a System Engineer will probably be his destination.

A quote by Tim Notke hangs on his bedroom door that reads:

“Work so hard that one day your signature will become an autograph”. 

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Ms Maren Renae Peck
 

She has attended Polk Street Methodist Child Development 
Center SMCDC from age four (4) months through Pre K, Carver  Childhood Academy (CEA), K through 1st Grade and presently attends the Carver Elementary Academy (CEA) from grades Second (2nd) through Fifth (5th).
 
She is on the “A” Honor Roll, a Carver Ambassador, UIL Participant:  Music Memory, Creative Writing, Oral Reading, Piano, Art, Smart Bronze Medal Winner, Battle of the Books participant, School Spelling Bee 2018 and 2019.

Her favorite pastimes are:  Reading and singing, favorite food:  Sushi, favorite sports:  Soccer and harassing her 9 year old brothers Maxwell and Mason.
 
She has a dog: Ellie and a cat: Figaro

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Ms Kaniya Barringer

 

She is the daughter of Kenneth and Lanitra Barringer. 

She is a Fifth (5^th) grade student at Carver Elementary Academy. (CEA)  

She enjoys crafting, making slime and playing Roblox.  She has a love for the Arts and attend Piano and Art Classes.

Kaniya will attend college where she plans to study medicine, because her goal is to become a Doctor.

She is a member of Saint John Baptist Church and is actively involved in the Genesis Children’s Choir. She also volunteers at Snack Pak 4 Kids.

 

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Mr. Brick Cooksey

He is the son of Ed and Jan Cooksey.  He has a sister, Briar.  He has two dogs and a bird.

He enjoys playing games, the piano, fishing and soccer. He has attended Carver Elementary Academy  (CEA) since his Kindergarten year and has loved it so much!! 

His favorite subject  is Math but he loves to read just as much. 

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