A total of $11,100 has been awarded to nine college students and three high school graduates by the Community Congregational Church of Southern Pines. The scholarship recipients were recognized during worship service Sunday, June 22.

This is the 11th year the scholarships have been awarded by the church. Each student was sponsored by a church member.

Rusty Wells, chairman of the church's scholarship committee and a member of the Endowment Fund, said the criteria by which the applications were judged are the involvement in youth and church activities, the level of academic achievement, the quality of the letters of recommendation and the applicant's essay. The 12 selected for scholarships are:

- Stephanie Danielle Atkins, daughter of Wanda Atkins. Atkins is attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, majoring in biology. Her current course of study is radiologic science. Students are required to be in classes, labs, and clinical rotations for long hours. Atkins is a dedicated academic student, but also played sports during high school. Scholarship Award: $800.

- Julie Diane Blue, daughter of Cynthia and David Blue. Blue graduated from Union Pines High School in May 2004. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Conference Doubles Tennis Champion for three years and member of the varsity softball team. She was named Female Athlete of the Year 2004. Blue graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in psychology, with a minor in mathematics, from East Carolina University. She is returning to ECU this fall to pursue a second degree in mathematics. During the school year she works in the ECU admissions office. To further her education, Blue is currently attending Sandhills Community College. Her interests include music, travel and sports. Blue received the church scholarship in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Scholarship Award: $1,000.

- Nicolas Alexander Cameron, son of Becky and Alex Cameron. Cameron graduated from Union Pines High School in May 2006 and currently attends Appalachian State University, majoring in exercise science and physical therapy, and is on the Dean's List. He was a member of the National Honor Society and was involved in Union Pines High School's marching band and baseball teams. Cameron was chosen to be a team leader in his P.E. class. He is working as a physical therapy assistant in a private practice. He has been a member of the church since birth. Cameron received the church scholarship in 2006 and 2007. He also received the United Church of Christ Undergraduate Scholarship award of $1,000 for the September 2007-2008 academic year. Catherine M. Hoener Memorial Scholarship Award: $1,000.

- Gregory D. Hughes, son of Beth and Bob Cunningham. Hughes is attending the Sandhills Community College studying for his associate degree and hopes to transfer to North Carolina State University to pursue a degree in architecture. He is also working full-time. Scholarship Award: $7,000.

- Clark Lynn, son of Penny Priest. Lynn graduated from Union Pines High School and will attend North Carolina State University in the fall, majoring in mechanical engineering. At Union Pines High School, he was a member of the 130-member Marching Vikings band. He was in charge of multiple sections of the band and assumed the position of low-brass captain. Lynn works part-time in addition to his academic and extra-curricular responsibilities. He participates in service to others through the National Honor Society and the Mount Pleasant Youth Group. Scholarship Award: $800.

- Margaret McDonald, daughter of Amy and David McDonald. McDonald graduated from Pinecrest High School and will attend North Carolina State University in the fall, majoring in communications. Her current activities are youth group, National Honor Society, debate team, Take Back Club, Interact, and youth choir. She is working part time at Vito's. She also worked in the exceptional education classroom at Pinecrest High School as a student assistant. This past summer McDonald traveled, with 25 strangers, to Indiana to attend the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, which is held within Purdue University for 7000 youth. Scholarship Award: $800.

- Margaret Lynne McSwain, daughter of Beth McSwain and the late John McSwain. She is currently attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, majoring in history with minors in English and drama. McSwain's past activities include Pinecrest Players, ITS, marching band and student directing. Her church activities included the church nursery, junior choir and youth group. McSwain was a model for the church's "Madonna" program on several occasions. She received the church scholarship in 2006. Cuthbert V. Stagaard Memorial Scholarship Award: $1,000.

- Austen Reil Shearer, daughter of Patricia Reil and Richard Shearer. Shearer graduated from Pinecrest High School and is in her fourth year at Elon University, majoring in international studies with a minor in Spanish. Honors include Who's Who among American High School Students, Honor Roll, Distinguished List and National Honor Society. Her activities include the Elon Liberal Arts Forum, licensing chair of her Tri-Delta sorority, English as a Second Language classroom assistant, and the Swim Club. In fall 2007, Austen traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, as an exchange student, taking classes in Spanish. Shearer has traveled to Texas, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Florida, North Dakota, Ontario, Canada and Puerto Natales, Chile. Recently Shearer traveled, for a second time, to Bay St. Louis, Miss., to participate in a service trip to help people who still remain in a state of desperation following hurricane Katrina. Her interests are swimming and the arts. Shearer received the Elon scholarship in 2006 and 2007. Scholarship Award: $1,000.

- Brent Edward Shockley, son of Patricia and Bill Shockley. Shockley graduated from Sandhills Community College and will attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in the fall, majoring in philosophy. His church activities include the Board of Christian Education, youth group and a member of the Church Council. As a member of the barbershop quartet, Shockley sang for several of the church Christmas programs. During high school he was drum major and field conductor for the marching band. Catherine M. Hoener Memorial Scholarship Award: $1,000.

- Ashley Marie Sparks, daughter of Jody and Gregory Sparks, and granddaughter of Lynn Hammond and the late George Hammond. Sparks graduated from Union Pines High School in May 2004 and is currently attending Appalachian State University, majoring in music industry studies. She was woodwind captain for the UPHS Marching Band, and her interests include the ASU Marching Mountaineers and Youth Group. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. Sparks works for her father in sales and marketing during the summer months. She received the Edythe Walters Scholarship Award in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Scholarship Award: $1,000.

- Sara Sparks, daughter of Jody and Gregory Sparks and granddaughter of Lynn Hammond and the late George Hammond. Sparks graduated from Union Pines High School in January 2006 and is currently attending Appalachian State University, majoring in criminal justice. Her activities include Volunteer Services for Special Needs Children, youth group and color guard captain for the Union Pines High School Marching Band. Sparks' activities include working with special needs children, seminars on trauma in children, and participation in forums on University Crisis, which stemmed from the Virginia Tech tragedy. She is planning a mission trip to Honduras, which involves construction projects, work in a youth center and holding a Medical Brigade. Sparks received the church scholarship in 2006 and 2007. George L. Hammond Memorial Scholarship Award: $1,000.

- Moriah Walden Underhill, daughter of Terri and Don Underhill. Underhill is currently attending North Carolina State University, majoring in fashion and textile management. Her activities include the Young Life program at N.C. State. She was assigned to work at Panther Creek High School as a volunteer leader. She devotes a good portion of her time to the MorLove project, a student organization that collects

cast-off clothing and creatively refashions the apparel items for sale. All proceeds are given to an orphanage in Uganda. Underhill's activities also include International Baccalaureate, Interact and College of Textile supported clubs. She received the church scholarship in 2006. Scholarship Award: $1,000.