MORVEN — The HOLLA! Center, a local nonprofit organization, has announced that Bianca Liles, Enderia Richardson, and Janiah Lindsey are the recipients of their scholarships this year. HOLLA! Eagles Tennis Player Briena Taylor has also accepted a $10,000 scholarship to play tennis at Livingstone College in Salisbury.

“Anson County Schools have no tennis program,” said HOLLA! Center Director Leon Gatewood, “so Taylor’s skills have developed to college level through the HOLLA! Let’s MOVE Project, which included free tennis lessons for interested Anson County students.

Taylor has been playing tennis at the HOLLA! Center for 6 years. HOLLA! has a regulation-sized tennis court on-site, which qualifies the organization to receive funding for coaching and supplies.

Liles is the recipient of the Mary E. Little Scholarship and will be attending Livingstone College in Salisbury to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.

“Mary E. Little was a community servant and was very instrumental in the inception of HOLLA!,” said Gatewood. “So instrumental, the organization decided to name the facility located at 229 East Main Street in Morven, The Mary E. Little Community Center, in her honor after her untimely death in June 2011.”

“Because of her dedication and support to Anson County’s youth,” Gatewood continued. “HOLLA! decided to develop a scholarship in her honor to a student best meeting the criteria of the award.”

This scholarship receives funding through annual HOLLA! fundraisers.

Lindsey and Richardson are this year’s recipients of the M.R. Bell reward. Richardson will be majoring in Biology at Wingate University while Lindsey will be attending UNCG where she will be majoring in Kinesiology.

“Mrs. Bell believed in the power of education and its ability to equip students for successful lives,” said Gatewood. Bell taught first and second grade in a number of Anson County Schools including West Deep Creek, J.R. Faison, and Central Elementary. Bell served on the Board of Education following her retirement.

“Her children established and fund the M.R. Bell Scholarship.” said Gatewood, “It is administered by HOLLA! to keep her love for education alive. “

HOLLA! has been awarding scholarships for ten years. They present one Mary E. Little and two M.R. Bell Scholarships annually, each offering a $500 cash award.

“We receive a competitive pool of applicants each year,” said Gatewood, “Several of our recipients have found a way to somehow reciprocate receiving these scholarships through community service or some gesture of appreciation.”

“HOLLA!, as well as most Anson County Citizens, take educating our youth seriously,” said Gatewood. “The various grassroots scholarships and other activities by the community to inspire youth to be successful are very encouraging.”

Fundraisers for these scholarships, such as the annual 5K fundraiser, have been postponed until further notice and all social events scheduled at the center have been canceled through June.

Gatewood and the staff at HOLLA! are eager to get back on schedule with our Youth Enrichment Program which includes partnerships with various schools, Livingstone College and other local organizations,

“The Lion King JR cast is impatiently awaiting the opportunity for their next performance,” said Gatewood. “But we shall show all respect for the law, rules of protocol, and wisdom of science.”

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HOLLA! Eagles Tennis Player Briena Taylor has also accepted a $10,000 scholarship to play tennis at Livingstone College in Salisbury.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/web1_brenre-LC-bound.jpgHOLLA! Eagles Tennis Player Briena Taylor has also accepted a $10,000 scholarship to play tennis at Livingstone College in Salisbury.

Enderia Richardson is a recipient of the M.R. Bell scholarship. She will be majoring in Biology at Wingate University
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/web1_Enderia-Richardson-M.R.-Bell-Recipient.jpgEnderia Richardson is a recipient of the M.R. Bell scholarship. She will be majoring in Biology at Wingate University

Janiah Lindsey is a recipient of the M.R. Bell scholarship and will be attending UNCG where she will be majoring in Kinesiology.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/web1_Janiah-Lindsey-M.R.-Bell-Recipient.jpgJaniah Lindsey is a recipient of the M.R. Bell scholarship and will be attending UNCG where she will be majoring in Kinesiology.

Charles Wood

Staff Writer

Reach Charles Wood at 704 994 5471 or at cwood@ansonrecord.com