Jamesha Bannister and Andre Brown were the first recipients of the Johnny H. Pearson Jr. Remembering Heart Health 2016-17 Scholarship.
Both received $1,000 in memory of Pearson, who was a 1985 graduate of Scott’s Branch High School. Pearson was “very much a sports fan and was supportive of and involved in a number of the school’s recreational sports activities,” according to a release.
Pearson loved to mentor and help all children, but particularly those of his beloved Eagles family.
“He was well known and loved by Clarendon School District 1’s student body and staff,” reads the release. “He worked diligently with the athletic department of Scott’s Branch High School.”
The Johnny H. Pearson Jr. Scholarship was established in 2017 to remember the life of Johnny Pearson Jr. This opportunity will continue annually to support two athletes, one male and one female, both graduates of Clarendon School District 1.
The requirements include students having been accepted into a two- or four-year college or university; being an athlete; and writing a 500-word essay answering the question, “What motivates me to be the better me?”
Bannister was an all-star cheerleader for Scott’s Branch High School. In her essay, she said that the negative pressures and trials in her life were fuel for motivation to be the best that she could be. She is enrolled at Francis Marion University, where she is studying toward a degree in elementary education.
Andre Brown was an all-star football player for Scott’s Branch High School. In his essay, he said that his No. 1 cheerleader and the apple of his eye was his mother. She was the motivation to be the best he could be. He is enrolled at South Carolina State University, where he will major in physical education.
Scholarship Founder Sondra Busby said several organizations were responsible for making the scholarship a success in its first year, including Macedonia Fire Baptized Holiness Church; Sunny’s Groceries; Clarendon County Drag Strip; Paxville’s Superette; St. Phillip UME Church; Clarendon School District 1; Scott’s Branch High School Athletic Department; RBS Transport LLC; Summerton Funeral Home; Samuels Funeral Home; Sam Levy and Sons Photography; Santee Automotive; Judge James Dingle; Sheriff Tim Baxley; Clarendon County Council Chairman Dwight Stewart; Clarendon County Councilman Billy Richardson; Manning City Councilman Julius Dukes; Walker Tire; and the Moore Law Firm.
Donations are now being accepted for the upcoming 2018 scholarship year. Donations may be made at any SAFE Federal Credit Union by referencing the account Johnny’s Athletic Scholarship.
For more information, call Busby at (803) 452-7021.
