Mt. Calvary UFBH Church of God presents four scholarships

Mt. Calvary UFBH Church of God presented four scholarships at the church’s recent scholarship celebration luncheon on May 4 at the Bethea Convention Center in Bennettsville.

Three Cheraw High School seniors – Karma McGuinn, Kayla Massey, and Scarlett Amerson – and Hailey Johnson, a senior at Marlboro County High School , received the financial aid to help them further their education.

“Congratulations to the scholarship recipients, and we wish you much success in your educational endeavors. We know that every little bit helps you pay for your college costs, and that’s why Mount Calvary is doing these scholarship drives,” said Mt. Calvary UFBH Church of God Elder Dale Gilchrist. “Remember, in all that you accomplish, to give God the glory, because he is the one that makes it possible for you to do what you are doing.”

Karma McGuinn received an $1,800 scholarship. She is a member of the National Beta Club at Cheraw High School, as well as a makeup artist and lash technician entrepreneur. McGuinn was the second runner-up for the Miss Brave scholarship and has volunteered in the toy and food drive. McGuinn has a goal of becoming a nurse.

Kayla Massey received a $1,500 scholarship. She is a member of the National Beta Club at Cheraw High School. She does 3D modeling and music production. Massey participated in online creative and interactive team projects, explored various forms of artificial intelligence activities and is a novice audio engineer. She is the caregiver for her disabled mother.

Hailey Johnson, a senior at Marlboro County High School, received a $1,200 scholarship. She plans to pursue a degree in exercise science at the University of South Carolina. Some of her accomplishments include competitive dance, National Beta Club member, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, youth group and Hope House volunteer. She spearheaded Blood Buddies to bring awareness to blood shortage in America and is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.

Scarlett Amerson received a $1,000 scholarship. She will attend the University of South Carolina at Beaufort to pursue a degree in nursing. Some of her accomplishments include National Beta Club, the National Honor Society and participated in the 2023 Miss Brave. Amerson is a McLeod Nursing Academy graduate and has received the Reta Brock Smith Director’s Award.

Guest speaker LaTroy Hubbard Jr encouraged the scholarship recipients to have a plan for the future.

“In the Army, we used to say, if you fail to plan, plan to fail,” he said. “And I don’t say that in a negative way, because you will come across some obstacles, and you may fail at some things. But failure is just a learning opportunity, if you allow it to be.”

Hubbard talked about not having a plan when he joined the Army, but eventually realizing he needed one to succeed.

He encouraged them to set goals.

“Set some short-term goals that you want to achieve in six to 12 months,” said Hubbard. “Set some intermediate goals, things you want to achieve in 12 to 24 months.”

He then asked them to set some long-term goals to achieve in three to five years.

With each of those goals, he said, they should develop a plan of action to accomplish those goals.

“In the Bible, James 2 and 17 says, ‘Faith without works is dead,’” said Hubbard. “A goal without a plan is just a wish. Don’t be afraid to fail. Again, failing is just a learning opportunity if you let it.”

At the end of his remarks, Hubbard told them to build a network of peers who share the same goals and to find a good mentor.

“I encourage you to set goals and make plans to achieve them. The only goal you can never achieve is the one you don’t set. You will always miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”