Ms. Shemetria Risper of Westside High School and Mr. Andrew Correa of First Presbyterian Day School have been named as the two recipients of the four-year scholarship of $1000 per year. These two recipients will also each receive $500 to donate to the charitable organization of their choice. Coach Vince Dooley and the GHSA Executive Director Dr. Robin Hines offered inspirational remarks during the ceremony held at the College Football Hall of Fame. Athletes for a Better World Executive Director Brad Catherman served as master of ceremonies, with Chairman of the Board Steve Petyerak in attendance to bestow the scholarships.
Shemetria Risper achieved a 3.7 grade point average at Westside High School while also achieving a Dean’s List 3.6 grade point average at Central Georgia Technical College, becoming the school’s only student in history to simultaneously obtain both degrees! Among her many academic accomplishments, she is the national High School Heisman Academic Award Winner, and a Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalist. She was the Team Captain of the Cheerleading Team for three years. Her athletic accomplishments include the All American Award at the NCAA Camp at the University of Georgia. Off the field, she logged more than 400 hours of community service in the areas of elementary school tutoring, childhood cancer fundraising, Special Olympics, local food bank volunteerism, and much more.
Andrew Correa of First Presbyterian Day School achieved a 4.28 grade point average while taking 9 Advanced Placement courses. Among his many academic accomplishments, he is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the United States mathematics organization for distinguished scholars. A First Team All-Region football player, he also excels in basketball and track & field. His versatile extracurricular accomplishments include earning the award for “Best Performance” in the school musical. Off the field, his community service work includes trips to Haiti and inner-city New Orleans, working with underprivileged children.
The Scholarship Finalists were:
Girls
| Mary Beth Caldwell | Union Grove High School |
| Aidan Cathey | Allatoona High School |
| Morgan Johnson | Aquinas High School |
| Avery Kemper | First Presbyterian Day School |
| Athena Malek | Stephens County High School |
| Mary Anne McCord | Screven County High School |
| Harmony Nagle | Stratford Academy |
| Shemetria Risper | Westside High School – Macon |
| Katelyn Taylor | Academy for Classical Education |
| Maurissa Thomas | East Jackson High School |
Boys
| Sean Byrne | Allatoona High School |
| Caden Prather | Callaway High School |
| Cole Hasty | Creekview High School |
| Gary Richardson | Dutchtown High School |
| Andrew Correa | First Presbyterian Day School |
| Brendan O’Sullivan | Forsyth Central High School |
| Max Starnes | Lyndon Academy |
| Jaylen Mallett | Marist School |
| Sam Bowers | Northside High School |
| Ian Jackson Davis | Social Circle High School |
