Six county students earn scholarships

May 9th, 2018

South Carolina football coach Will Muschamp delivered a simple but powerful message Tuesday night at the 6th Annual Coaches 4 Character ACE Awards program. 

"Don't let your circumstances define you, regardless of your situation," Muschamp told an attentive audience at Greenville Relentless Church.

Muschamp's advice didn't fall on deaf ears -- each of the night's 70 honorees were in attendance based primarily on challenges they've already overcome.

"Continue to have a vision, because what you guys have accomplished is unbelievable," Muschamp said. "Absolutely amazing the stories (about you) that I read -- brought a tear to my eye. It's awesome. Continue with your vision."

ACE, an acronym for Advocates for Character and Education, is an annual end-of-school-year celebration that recognizes Greenville County Schools' "unsung heroes." Tuesday night's honorees included 35 male and 35 female students representing 21 middle schools and 14 high schools. 

The selection process, established by Greenville County counselors, focused on identifying and selecting at-risk students and award winners/ These students have overcome tremendous odds to achieve in their schools, churches, homes, and/or communities, but have not been recognized for doing so.  Until Tuesday night.

"It's all about how you respond to certain situations and circumstances i your life, which you 70 (honorees) have done an amazing job of," Muschamp said. "Ten percent is what has happened to you; 90  percent is what you do with it."

Some of the students have overcome serious illness or injury or physical disability.

Others have excelled despite the loss or absence of parents or other critical family members.

Some have overcome language and cultural barriers or financial challenges. 

Still others simply have downplayed their own challenges by giving wholeheartedly of themselves in order to help others.

"Stay positive," Muschamp said. "A positive attitude does not guarantee anythings, but a negative one does. Be thankful for the opportunities you have."

Six county high school students received $2,500 ACE Awards Academic Scholarships: Jon Tora Hester of Woodmont, who plans to major in psychology at the College of Charleston. Eastside's Bailey Hinton, who plans to study biology and veterinary medicine at Greenville Technical College, Wade Hampton's Brittany Thomas Culbreth, who is undecided on a college choice but plans to study business and chemistry; Richard Meralus of Greenvile, who will study engineering at Greenville Technical College; Cameron Pate Addie of Woodmont, who plans to major in history at Lander University; and Hillcrest's Derek Ruiz, who plans to enroll in Tri-County Technical College's "bridge" program in mechanical engineering.  

​By: Scott Keepfer -- Greenville Online

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