By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA – Four high school seniors were honored by the Buck Creek Festival Committee at the Helena City Council meeting the night of Monday, May 14, due to their hard work, volunteer efforts and academic success.

For the last several years, a portion of funds raised from the Buck Creek Festival have been allotted for student scholarships to help pay for the cost of tuition.

This year, a total of $2,000 was divided among four high school seniors as they were each presented with a $500 scholarship from the Buck Creek Festival Committee on May 14.

Seniors Mackenzie Rosener, Natalie Blocker, Caitlin Rutland and Parker Cunningham were each presented with a $500 check to use for their college education and recognized by Buck Creek Festival Committee members and Helena City Council members.

Buck Creek Festival Committee member Cris Nelson said the committee received close to a dozen scholarship applications in 2018 that included several talented students.

“We have some amazing students here that are going to go on and do some awesome things, and it was really difficult to narrow it down to the four that we did,” Nelson said. “A couple of years ago we started the Buck Creek scholarship fund and have tried to make sure that we continue to do it every year from the proceeds even when it’s difficult. Last year was a difficult year for the festival because of weather but we made sure we put money back for the scholarship fund because it’s very important.”

To be considered for the Buck Creek Scholarship, applicants had to be a graduating senior, resident of Helena, submit an application, two letters of recommendation and a one-page essay describing what the scholarship would mean to them.

Rosener plans to attend The University of South Alabama, Blocker will attend Troy University, Rutland will attend Auburn University and Cunningham plans to attend Mississippi State University.