Over $1.3 Million in Scholarships Granted to Fairfield Seniors

Over $1.3 million dollars in scholarships were awarded to the graduating seniors of Fairfield High School during the Senior Awards program held Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at the Johnson Activity Center.

This year’s Honor Grads achieved their status by earning a grade point average in excess of 4.00. Each of these students also earned the President’s Award for Education by additionally scoring over the 85th percentile on either the SAT or ACT examinations.

Honor Grads for 2023 include: Kolby Bryce Adams, My’Kayla Janae Anderson, Braiden Kade Barrett, Rex Hogan Henderson Bean, William Kalame Bonner, Payton Jacelyn Botelho, McKinna Lynn Brackens, Dennis Spain Covert, Thania Davila, Britney Jaqueline Delgado, Violeta Espinoza, Caleb Christopher George, Kaden Daniel Lambright, Emily Rose Leatherman, Samuel Alexander Marsters, Dakota Lee Maynes, Gilbrea Bettie McNeil, Andrew Cale Myers, Riley Grace Ralstin, Elizabeth Sreynom Rath, Arly Zulaid Salazar, Chasidy Makayla Starr, Jonathan Luiz Thomas, and Alexi Capri Walthall.

This year’s Valedictorian is Jonathan Luiz Thomas. Salutatorian is Elizabeth Sreynom Rath.

Eighty-two of this year’s seniors are graduating under the Foundation Program with an Endorsement. They include: Kolby Bryce Adams, Christopher Raul Aleman Jr., My’Kayla Janae Anderson, Ailany Julissa Arellano Castillo, Melanie Arielli Banda, Braiden Kade Barrett, Wilson Alan Basden, Rex Hogan Henderson Bean, Jy’Rion Wayne Bell, William Kalame Banner, Payton Jacelyn Botelho, McKinna Lynn Brackens, Shadasia Mishelle Brackens, JaTavia Ameriee Burns, Raelynn Elizabeth Cain, Jy’ren Dupree Canady, Seth D Oliver Couture, Dennis Spain Covert, JaCorey Omar Daniels, Thania Davila, Britney Jaqueline Delgado, Andrea Diaz, Melanie Duran Garcia, Braylon Rashaud Durham, Camille BreAnn Eldridge, Noe Francisco Espinoza, Violeta Espinoza, Jonathan Garcia, Caleb Christopher George, Justin Wayne Henderson, Aaron Elijah Hendrickson, Ariana Alyce Hernandez, Jayven Agustin Ixtlahuaca, Beatriz Maria Jimenez, Tejia Arie Jones, Abigayle Hope Kocher, Kaden Daniel Lambright, Julia Kay Lane, Emily Rose Leatherman, Cody O’Brien Lewis, Paisley Kay Lewis, Trinity Rose Little, Alyssa Ann Markham, Samuel Alexander Marsters, Elijah Edward Martin, Luke C Martinez, Sebastian Lee Matthews, Dakota Lee Maynes, Ciara Grace McAlpine, Gilbrea Bettie McNeil, Dalton William McQuinn, Adrianna Guadalupe Mendez, Blaise Elizabeth Monico, Tucker Christian Moore, Jr., Danna Paola Munoz, Andrew Cale Myers, Maya Jaileen Polk, Riley Abigail Vieney Portillo, Paige Michele Posey, Riley Grace Ralstin, Kevin Jose Ramos, Elizabeth Sreynom Rath, Dominick Alexander Reyes, Carter James Richard, Julio Cesar Roque Rangel, Arly Zulaid Salazar, Miguel Angel Santana-Delapaz, Alfred Serrato, Jr., Kaitlyn Louise Shepherd, Kara Sarie Shoemaker, Chasidy Makayla Starr, Landyn Kelis Steadham, Tristen Avery Stephenson, Shamari Keon Strawther, Gunner Blake Thibodeaux, Jonathan Luiz Thomas, Robyn Denise Walker, Alexi Capri Walthall, Damonte Lavar Willis, Noah Allen Wilson, Katelyn Grace Winters, George Isaac Zimmerman.

Earning the UIL Scholar Award for academic excellence through competition include: Kolby Bryce Adams, Braiden Kade Barrett, William Kalame Bonner, Payton Jacelyn Botelho, McKinna Lynn Brackens, Thania Davila, Samuel Alexander Marsters, Riley Grace Ralstin, Elizabeth Sreynom Rath, Chasidy Makayla Starr, Jonathan Luiz Thomas.

Also recognized were those students who have donated blood twice during the year. They include: Kolby Bryce Adams, Christopher Raul Aleman Jr., Ailany Julissa Arellano Castillo, Melanie Arielli Banda, Braiden Kade Barrett, Wilson Alan Basden, Jy’Rion Wayne Bell, Payton Jacelyn Botelho, Seth D Oliver Couture, Thania Davila, Britney Jaqueline Delgado, Camille BreAnn Eldridge, Caleb Christopher George, Ariana Alyce Hernandez, Jayven Agustin Ixtlahuaca, Hannah Cate Johnson, Abigayle Hope Kocher, Kaden Daniel Lambright, Julia Kay Lane, Emily Rose Leatherman, Paisley Kay Lewis, Trinity Rose Little, Luke C Martinez, Sebastian Lee Matthews, Nadia Jhene Marie McClatchey, Dalton William McQuinn, Adrianna Guadalupe Mendez, Blaise Elizabeth Monico, Danna Paola Munoz, Maya Jaileen Polk, Riley Abigail Vieney Portillo, Paige Michele Posey, Riley Grace Ralstin, Kevin Jose Ramos, Elizabeth Sreynom Rath, Dennise Salazar, Miguel Angel Santana-Delapaz, Kaitlyn Louse Shepherd, Chasidy Makayla Starr, Jonathan Luiz Thomas, Katelyn Grace Winters.

U.S. Military Awards

Receiving a U.S. Army Enlistment Scholarship in the amount of $1800,00 with the GI Bill was Noe Francisco Espinoza and Tristen Avery Stephenson.

Community Scholarships

–Two Fairfield Lions Club Scholarships, in the amount of $500 each, were presented to Jonathan Garcia and Alexi Capri Walthall.

–Three Fairfield Band Booster’s Scholarships, in the amount of $600 each, were presented to Braiden Kade
Barrett, Jy’Rion Wayne Bell, Elizabeth Sreynom Rath (Fairfield Band Scholarship)

–Four scholarships from Fairfield Masonic Lodge No. 103 were presented in amount of $500 each to Braden Kade Barrett, Samuel Alexander Marsters, Blaise Elizabeth Monico, Riley Grace Ralstin.

— A J.R. “Sonny” Sessions Memorial scholarship, in the amount of $500, was presented to Payton Jacelyn Botelho.

–A Freestone County Farm Bureau Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000, was presented to Riley Grace Ralstin.

–A Freestone County Area Go Texas Scholarship, in the amount of $500, was presented to Riley Grace Ralstin.

–A Freestone County Area Go Texan Technical Scholarship, in the amount of $500, was presented to
Noah Allen Wilson.

–The Joe Kirgan Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $1,500, was presented to Shadasia Mishelle Brackens

–Two Farmers State Bank Scholarships, in the amount of $500 each, were presented to Braden Kade
Barrett and Thania Davila.

–The GFWC/History Club presented two Leatha Parker Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 each to Braiden Kade Barrett and Riley Grace Ralstin, and a Jack and Margaret Ritter Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to Jonathan Luiz Thomas.

–Community National Bank and Trust of Texas have pledged financial assistance over thirty years for scholarship to students at Fairfield High School. Community National Bank – Payton Jacelyn Botelho and Elizabeth Sreynom Rath in the amount of $1,500 per year for four years totaling $6,000 each, and Rankin Gilpin Memorial – Riley Grace Ralstin in the amount of $500 for four semesters totaling $2,000.

— An Eagle Flag Football Scholarship, in the amount of $500, was presented to Noah Allen Wilson.

–A Fairfield Rotary Club presented Four Way Test Essay in the amount of $1,000 to Kolby Bryce Adams,
and J.E Lott Memorial in the amount of $1,000 to Kolby Bryce Adams.

–Incommons Bank of Fairfield, in the amount of $500 each, was presented to Wyatt Mathew Burts, Aaron Elijah Hendrickson, Nadia Jhene Marie McClatchey.

–Two Freestone Credit Union Board of Directors Scholarship, in the amount of $750 each, were presented to William Kalame Bonner and Damonte Lavar Willis.

–Freestone County Game Management Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000 each, were presented to Kolby Bryce Adams and Hannah Cate Johnson.

–A Fairfield Girls Little Dribbles – Lady Eagle Little Dribblers in the amount of $500, was presented to Shadasia Mishelle Brackens, and Special Award in the amount of $250, was presented to McKinna Lynn Brackens.

–Randy Butler Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $2,000, was presented to Andrew Cale Myers.

–Four Fairfield Athletic Booster Club, in the amount of $750 each, were presented to Kolby Bryce Adams, Caleb Christopher George, Tashan Denise Gomer, and Chasidy Makayla Starr.

–The Richland-Chambers Community Care Club Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000 each, were presented to Abigayle Hope Kocher, and Katelyn Grace Winters.

–Ward Prairie Baptist Church Scholarship, in the amount of $500 each, Elijah Edward Martin, Paige Michele Posey, and Noah Allen Wilson.

–Two Amber Eagan Memorial Scholarships, in amount of $1,000 each, were presented to McKinna Lynn Brackens, and Shadasia Mishelle Brackens.

–The First United Methodist Church Scholarship, in the amount of $2,000, was presented to Riley Grace Ralstin.

–Freestone County 4-H Adult Leaders Scholarship was presented to Hannah Cate Johnson ($Unknown)

–Three Allen for Heroes Scholarships, in the amount of $1,000 each, were presented to Emily Rose Leatherman, Adrianna Guadalupe Mendez, and Riley Abigail Vieney Portillo.

–Four Winkler Masonic Lodge Scholarships, in the amount of $1,000 each, were presented to Thania
Davila, Riley Grace Ralstin, Chasidy Makayla Starr, and Katelyn Grace winters.

–The Dew Community Education Foundation, in the amount of $250, was presented to Paisley Kay Lewis.

–Evie Rischer Scholarships, in the amount of $500 each, were presented to Camille BreAnn Eldridge, and Damonte Lavar Willis.

–Pat and Fay Donovan Family Memorial Scholarship, in amount of $1,200, was presented to Arly Zulaid Salazar.

–Clay Cole Memorial Golf Scholarship, in amount of $500, was presented to Dalton William McQuinn.

–Two Freestone County Youth Sports Association Scholarships, in amount of $250 each, were presented to Braiden Kade Barrett, and Damonte Lavar Willis.

–The Sunny Foundation Scholarship, in amount of $2,000, was presented to Thania Davila.

–Freestone County Historical Commission Heritage Scholarships, in amount of $500 each, were presented to Samuel Alexander Marsters, and Riley Grace Ralstin.

–Cotton Gin Masonic Lodge #154 of Kirvin Texas, in amount of $500, was presented to Thania Davila.

–Dallas Scottish Rite Library and Museum Educational Scholarship, in amount of $1,000, was present to Payton Jacelyn Botelho.

–Fairfield High School Agriculture Scholarship, in amount of $1,000, was presented to Hannah Cate Johnson.

–Long Industries Ag Mechanics Scholarship, in amount of $2,000, was presented to Andrew Cale Myers,

–The Dixie Youth Baseball presented a DYB State Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to Braiden Kade
Barrett.

–The Fairfield Fire Reduce Auxiliary Scholarship, in amount of $250, was presented to Thania Davila.

–Waste Connections Scholarships, in amount of $1,000 each, were presented to Payton Jacelyn Botelho, and Noah Allen Wilson.

–The Stephenson-Perona Scholarship, in amount of $15,000, was presented to Samuel Marsters.

State/National Industry Scholarships

–Nucor Steel Texas Scholarships, in amount of $4,000 per year for four years for a total of $16,000 each, were presented to Rex Hogan Henderson Bean, and Maya Jaileen Polk.

–Navarro County Electric Cooperative, Inc., in amount of $3,000 per semester for two semesters totaling $6,000, was presented to Thania Davila.

–NRG Energy in Jewett Texas an ecoNRG Environmental Scholarship in the amount of $1,000, was presented to Emily Rose Leatherman.

–Nevada State Fire Association, in the amount of $1,000, was presented to Payton Jacelyn Botelho.

–National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, was presented the Fairfield High School DAR Good Citizen Award to Elijah Edward Martin.

College/University Scholarships

–A Navarro College Opening Doors to Success Scholarship in the amount of $500 per semester for four semesters totaling $2,000 was presented to Abigayle Hope Kocher.

–The University of Texas at Tyler an Employees Scholarship, in amount of $4,000 per semester for eight semesters totaling $32,000, was presented to Caleb Christopher George.

–TTU Recruiting Scholarship, in amount of $1,000 for the fall and spring semesters for two semesters totaling $2,000, was presented to Paisley Kay Lewis.

–The University Nevada, Las Vegas presented a Full Athletic Scholarship to play Women’s Basketball in the amount of $45,834 per year for four years totaling $183,336 to McKinna Lynn Brackens.

–Tarleton State University presented an Academic Scholarship in the amount of $3,000 per year for four years totaling $12,000 and Birdsong Endowed Scholarship in the amount of $1,175 per semester for eight semesters totaling $9,400 for a grand total of $21,400 to Riley Grace Ralstin.

–The University of Texas at Tyler presented an Academic Excellence Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 per year for four years totaling $8,000 and a Patriot Scholarship also in the amount of $2,000 per year for four years totaling $8,000 for a total grand total $16,000 to Kolby Bryce Adams.

–Tarleton State University presented a Deans’ Academic Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 per year for four years for a total of $4,000 and a Dick Smith College of Science and Technology Scholarship in the amount of $3,000 per years totaling $12,000 for a grant total of $16,000 to Braden Kade Barrett.

–University of North Texas presented a Full Athletic Scholarship in the amount of approximately $10,000 per year for four years totaling $40,000 to Shadasia Mishelle Brackens. Shadisia will be playing basketball for the University of North Texas.

–Navarro College presented Navarro College Band Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 per year for two years totaling $2,000 and a Navarro College Theatre Scholarship on the amount of $1,400 per year for two years totaling $2,800 for a grand total of $4,800 to Britney Jaqueline Delgado.

School Scholarships

Fairfield High School is an exceptional school. It is a place where students of all types of races, ethnicities, talents, and abilities meet on a daily basis. Every so often we have a student who brings excitement and laughter every day. You will not find a more loyal supporter of Fairfield High School recognized this senior student for his outstanding contributions to the Senior Class of 2023. Congratulations to Dakota Lee Maynes.

–A Beta Club Scholarship in Memory of Jonya Anderson Schuman was presented to Samuel Alexander Marsters in the amount of $1,000

–Fairfield High School’s Social Studies Department presented a scholarship in memory of Ms. Linda Melontree in the amount of $200 to Thania Davila.

–Fairfield High School Eagle Publication presented a Yearbook Scholarship in the amount of $100 to Paisley Kay Lewis.

–Fairfield High School Media Center presented a Sally Rose Awalt Media Center Scholarship in the amount of $160 to Jonathan Luiz Thomas.

–Fairfield High School Math Department presented a scholarship in memory of James & Beth Ireland in the amount of $100 each to Samuel Alexander Marsters, and Jonathan Luiz Thomas.

–Fairfield High School Drama Club Scholarship presented in the amount of $450 each to Payton Jacelyn Botelho, Britney Jaqueline Delgado, and Jonathan Luiz Thomas.

–The Association of Texas Professional Education (ATPE) Scholarship, in amount of $200 each, were presented to Kolby Bryce Adams, Payton Jacelyn Botelho, Thania Davila, Britney Jaqueline Delgado, Hannah Cate Johnson, Dalton William McQuinn, Blaise Elizabeth Monico, Jonathan Luiz Thomas.

–Interact Club Scholarships were presented to Kolby Bryce Adams for $250, Braiden Kade Barrett for $300, Payton Jacelyn Botelho for $400, and Samuel Alexander Marsters for $250

–Fairfield high School Fellowship of Christian Athletes Scholarship, in amount of $288.40, was presented to Caleb Christopher George.

–Eagle Publication presented three Eagle Beat Newspaper Scholarships in the amount on $100 each to Payton Jacelyn Botelho, Adrianna Guadalupe Mendez, and Alexi Capri Walthall.

–Student Council Scholarships were presented to Braden Kade Barrett $50, Payton Jacelyn Botelho $250, Paisley Kay Lewis 250, Riley Grace Ralstin $100, and Chasidy Makayla Starr $50.

–Fairfield High School Recycle Department presented a scholarship in the amount of $250 to Rex Hogan Henderson Bean.
Citizenship Awards

–The Hayward Eatmon Citizenship Award is presented by the class of 1971 in his memory. Hayward loved sports and did well at them. He was a very friendly and outgoing person. This year’s recipients are Samuel Alexander Marsters and Kolby Bryce Adams.

–The Dennis Gilbreath Memorial Citizenship Award is presented by the class of 1972 in his memory. To receive this award, you must have lettered in at least one sport and show outstanding citizenship and leadership while in school. This year the award is presented to Elijah Edward Martin.

–The senior Class of 1993 began the Brison Hearron Memorial Citizenship Award. Brison was a well-liked young man who participated in athletics, band, and drama. The recipient of this citizenship award is Jonathan Luiz Thomas.

–The Ben Capps Jr. Citizenship Award sponsored by the Fairfield Rotary Club is presented each year to a senior student who has been active in school and community activities while maintaining high moral values, high academics, and respect for others. This year’s recipient is Thania Davila.

—Beverly Ivy Gamble Citizenship Award is presented each year in memory of Beverly Ivy Gamble by her class of 1963. Beverly was very active in many school and community activities while maintaining a high scholastic average. This year’s recipient has met these high standards. This year the award is presented to Payton Jacelyn Botelho.

–In loving memory of Sally Awalt, the Fairfield High School Faculty presents the Sally Rose Awalt, Spirit of Fairfield High Award. Ms. Awalt, a life-long enthusiast of learning, epitomized the qualities that make our school unique. Her love of education, compassion for children, and drive for excellence and courage in the face of overwhelming odds touched us all. Her spirit truly resides in these halls of FHS. The recipient of this award has been selected on the basis of academic potential, community/church activities, school activities, citizenship and factors distinguishing the students from his/her peers. The recipient of the Sally Rose Awalt, Spirit of Fairfield High School Award is McKinna Lynn Brackens.

Congratulations to the Fairfield High School Class of 2023.

Pictured at top:  Citizenship Awards were presented to the following Fairfield High School seniors (left-right): Kolby Bryce Adams and Samuel Alexander Marsters – Hayward Eatmon Citizenship Award; Elijah Edward Martin – Dennis Gilbreath Memorial Citizenship Award; Jonathan Luiz Thomas – Brison Hearron Memorial Citizenship Award; Thania Davila – Ben Capps Jr. Citizenship Award; Payton Jacelyn Botelho – Bevely Ivy Gamble Citizenship Awards; and McKinna Lynn Brackens – Sally Rose Awalt, Spirit of Fairfield High School Award.

(Photo by Natalia V. Marsters)