The Share America Foundation, Inc. announced another scholarship winner recently at its Sacred Sounds Fridays concert at the Ringgold Depot in Ringgold, Ga.
The events help fund the organization’s Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship. Pearl and Floyd Franks are the late parents and former entertainment managers of actor/entertainer Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” from TV’s “In the Heat of the Night.” The scholarships honor students excelling in the Appalachian musical arts.
Hunter Moreland of Ringgold, Ga. was selected as the 2010 Catoosa County designee. Nashville comedian and impressionist Johnny Counterfit was on hand for the presentation.
Moreland is a sophomore at Heritage High School in Ringgold, Ga. He plays bagpipes among numerous other instruments.
“Grand total I have been playing the pipes for about three years,†he said.
Moreland said he added bagpipes, an instrument his father also plays, to saxophone and bassoon.
Hunter performs in the Heritage High School Marching Band and his piping talent became part of the band’s show at football games, he said.
The presentation came as quite a surprise to Moreland when Randall joined him on stage after Hunter performed “Highland Cathedral,†according to Joe Turner, Share America chairman.
The board will decide the amount of the scholarship at the time of the award when Moreland graduates in a couple of years, Turner said.
“One of our annual scholarships is set aside for a musician from Catoosa County, Ga. There were no applicants from Catoosa this year, so the board of directors chose to select a candidate and award the 2010 scholarship in the year that candidate attends college,†Franks said. “Hunter is carrying on one of the most unique instrumental aspects of our Scottish heritage. There is nothing that equals the sound of the pipes and it really makes the Scottish part of my heart sing.â€
The requirements for designees to receive the scholarship are to fulfill the application requirements in the year he or she enrolls in college immediately following graduation and to continue performing the Appalachian musical style of their choice, according to Franks.
“It’s an honor to be considered,†Moreland said following the presentation.
He said he plans to use the scholarship towards his educational needs to become a high school band director. He added that he is considering going to a school with an excellent saxophone program possibly in Minnesota or Michigan.
Moreland is the son of Braden and Angie Moreland of Ringgold and grandson of James and Jane Moreland of Ringgold and Harvey and Martha Allison of Keith, Ga.
Share America Foundation Board members include Franks, Turner, Gene Lowery, vice chairman; Adam Cathey, secretary and Jerry Robinson, Sr., vice president.
For more information about the organization and its programs, contact Share America, P.O. Box 42, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755 or visit www.shareamericafoundation.org or www.myspace.com/shareamerica.
