By BRAD GASKINS / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Five students were awarded Johnny Lowe Academic Scholarships during the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting June 2 at Columbiana United Methodist Church.

Lowe, who died in 2002, was a founder and first president of the South Shelby Chamber, which was founded in 1993.

Scholarship recipients included:

Joseph Daniel Broderick, a graduate of Shelby County High School, plans to study civil engineering at Auburn University.

Amanda Shaylyn Threatt, a graduate of Vincent High School, plans to study elementary education at Auburn University at Montgomery.

Daniel Wayne Kennedy, a graduate of Coosa Valley Academy, plans to study engineering.

Alexandra Virginia Seda, a graduate of Shelby County School of Technology, plans to study nutrition at the University of Montevallo.

Kailey Breanne Goodwin, a graduate of Cornerstone Christian School, plans to study speech pathology or graphic design at the University of Montevallo.

Columbiana Mayor Allan Lowe said his dad would have been proud of the recent graduates.

“He loved kids,” Allan Lowe said of Johnny Lowe. “He just liked giving people a better start than he was able to have when he was growing up. This scholarship helps his memory continue to touch people’s lives.”