News

The largest field of applicants ever have yielded two outstanding recipients of the Martin Methodist College’s top academic scholarship.

Jena Butler and Hayley Wilson have been selected to receive the full-cost Michael W. and Barbara B. Barton Scholarship, awarded each spring to a pair of high school seniors who will be enrolling at Martin Methodist in the fall. The scholarship is worth more than $100,000 over four years.

A record 55 students visited Martin Methodist College on Saturday, Feb. 11, to compete for the Barton Scholarship, where they interviewed with a selection committee, wrote an essay, toured campus and heard presentations from students and faculty about the college.

“We were pleased to welcome a record number of academic scholars and their families to participate in our annual Barton Scholars competition,” said Lisa Smith, director of admissions. “The Barton Scholarship is the most prestigious academic competition for incoming freshmen, with the two recipients receiving full-cost scholarships and all other participants receiving a half-tuition scholarship. The 55 participants this year represented 43 different high schools from several states, and they were some of the best and brightest students to be received on our campus.”

Jena Butler of Cypress Inn, Tenn., is a senior at Collinwood High School in Wayne County. The daughter of Joseph and Angie Butler, she not only ranks among the top of her class academically, but she has been active in such organizations as Beta Club, Future Teachers of America, Interact, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Junior Civitan Club and a class officer, all while working long hours as a waitress at a local restaurant in Waynesboro.

Hayley Wilson of Wartrace, Tenn., is a senior at Moore County High School. The daughter of Susan Wilson of Wartrace and Ronald Wilson of Estill Springs, she ranks at the top of her class academically and has been active in Future Business Leaders of America, earning top honors at the regional, state and national levels. She has also been active in the Lynchburg First Methodist Church youth group and works as an editorial assistant at The Moore County News.