Two students awarded grants
The Susan Johnson Memorial Fund Committee has announced that Abraham Thomas Damon and James (Jay) Laurie Lawson have each been awarded the 2020 Susan Johnson Memorial Scholarship Grant in the amount of $4,000.
This non-repayable grant is awarded annually to a graduate or former graduate of Darlington High School (formerly St. John’s High), or a graduate or former graduate from the Darlington Area Attendance Zone of Mayo High School for Math, Science and Technology, or Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School who intends to pursue further education or training leading to a career in health care.
Factors considered in the selection of the annual recipient of this award include academic standing, need, extracurricular activities, character and recommendations from the principal and/or faculty of the schools mentioned.
Abraham Thomas Damon lives with his mother, Mary Davis, and graduated from Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School, Class of 2020.
Damon is active in the community by coordinating a summer shoe drive and collecting 162 pairs of shoes distributed in the Darlington community to foster children and completed 40 hours of community service with City of Florence Youth Recreation Program.
His academic accomplishments include being a National Honor Society member, Math Team and Yearbook staff member. He plans to attend the University of South Carolina and pursue a degree to become a general practitioner or possibly a specialist. He states, “My Mom was the motivation behind wanting to enter the health care field. Seeing her passion influenced me to want to enter the field, but in a way that I could have a higher income because I also saw the struggles of a limited income family.”
James (Jay) Lawson lives with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Lawson, and he graduated from Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School, Class of 2020.
Lawson is active in the community by being a group leader at Vacation Bible School, volunteering 55 hours with McLeod Regional Medical Center and being a member of the Teenage Republican Club. His academic accomplishments include being a National Honor Society member, member of the Green Team and member of the Community Service Club.
He plans to attend Clemson University and enter the preprofessional health studies program and pursue a career in the field of interventional radiology. An interventional radiologist uses imaging techniques such X-rays, MRIs, fluoroscopy, CT scans and ultrasound to locate and analyze internal injuries and diseases.
Lawson states, “My primary reason for wanting to enter the health care field is simple — I want to be able to help others. I enjoy being able to assist others and I feel that the health care field combines my love for this and my passion for biology and anatomy.”
The Susan Johnson Memorial Fund was established in 1968 in memory of Susan Johnson, who at the time of her death was an outstanding senior at St. John’s High School and was active in her church and community. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Richard (Dot) Johnson.
This scholarship fund is administered by a committee operating under the supervision of the Session of the Darlington Presbyterian Church.
