2005 Donna C. McCullough Scholarship Recipient

     Griffin E. Powell, a recent graduate of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy has been awarded The Donna C. McCullough Chamber Scholarship. The Chamber scholarship has been presented annually since 1995 to a graduating senior from the Franklin-Southampton community. In 2004 upon the retirement of Chamber Executive Director, Donna McCullough, the Board of Directors renamed this scholarship in her honor citing her support in promoting community partnerships and education at all levels.
     The scholarship committee bases its selection on several criteria, which include demonstrated leadership ability, academic achievement, with a major emphasis placed on community involvement. Griffin excels in each category. He has been awarded such honors as the YMCA Leaders Club Workhorse Award, Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Award, Pilot Club Leadership Award and University of Richmond book award. He has served as president of the YMCA Leaders Club, SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) & High Street Methodist Youth Fellowship. Griffin was one of six elected as an Honor Leader from a pool of 600 student leaders during the 2004 Blue Ridge Leaders School. Other activities include, Order of the Arrow, JV & Varsity Football, Lacrosse and Basketball. Our community has benefited from his involvement in a variety ways. Griffin has coached and mentored area youth through the YMCA Leaders Club and has contributed over 600 community service hours. He created a “Prayer Garden” for his church as his Eagle Scout project and has participated in Adopt-A-Highway, Meals to Shut-ins, Helping Hands, mission projects and fundraising for the Salvation Army.
     In letters of recommendation Claudia Hawks, NSA English Chair wrote that “Griffin is a natural leader, in academic, athletic, and social realms. He is an exuberant student with a clear sense of purpose who invigorates everyone he touches with a sense of promise and achievement.” NSA Director of College Counseling noted that “Charismatic, mature and honorable, Griffin Powell has been repeatedly described by faculty and parents as “the type of young person we wish for our own children to emulate’ He is in no uncertain terms a leader within and outside of the school community”
     Griffin, a Franklin resident, is the son of Lynn & Susan Powell and brother of Meredith. He will enter The University of Virginia this fall.

Griffin Powell, Office Manager Melissa Rose, Executive Director Teresa Beale, Chamber President Vernie Francis