Ashley Tucker, Macon State – Nursing

Ashley achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA in her freshman term at Macon State College. She graduated with a B.S. in Nursing in May 2010. Her mother, Lori, was killed in 1996 while on the job as a supply clerk for a wholesale merchandiser. Total 2009-2010 scholarship: $3000.

Darius Butts, East Georgia College – Criminal Justice

Darius attends East Georgia College in Statesboro where he is in his final semester working toward a degree in criminal justice. Darius is the first in his family to attend college and he is in his last semester. His mother, Mary, suffered a severe back injury in 2001 and remains disabled. Total 2009-2010 scholarship: $3600.

Hannah Hudson, Dalton State – Early Childhood Education

Following graduation with honors from Dalton High, Hannah now attends Dalton State College where she plans to study early childhood education. Her father, Ricky, was killed in 1990 on duty as a drug agent with the Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Department. Total 2009-2010 scholarship: $3000.

David Clark, Valdosta State – Meteorology

David attends Valdosta State University where he is majoring in meteorology. David is now a senior looking forward graduating in the fall of 2010. David’s half-brother, Carlton, received a Kids’ Chance scholarship until he graduated from Mercer; he now works in the banking industry in Tallahassee. Their father, Kenneth, suffered catastrophic injuries in 1989 while working as a welder. Total 2009-2010 scholarship: $3000.

Steven Juneau, Albany Tech – Automotive Collision: Steven graduated in 2007 from Albany High School and enrolled at Albany Technical College. Steven has extended his goals to include automotive repair. He is the younger brother of Ryan and Kevin Juneau who also received Kids’ Chance scholarships. Total 2009-2010 scholarship: $3000.

Tracy Peavy, Darton College, Albany – Nursing

Tracy is a junior at Georgia Southwestern State University, from which her sisters Tara and Tami graduated with help from Kids’ Chance. Their father, Todd, worked as a telephone technician when his on-the-job accident occurred in 2001. He received multiple injuries in a vehicle crash and remains disabled. Total 2009-2010 scholarship: $3500.

Vanessa McCormick, West Georgia College – Pre-Med

Vanessa represented Kids’ Chance at the 2008 Builders’ Insurance Group Golf Tournament and was scheduled to return for the 2009 tournament. Rain, however, prevented us all from attending the annual Builders’ Insurance Golf Tournament. Vanessa is currently a junior with a 3.69 GPA. Vanessa is now engaged to be married after graduation. Vanessa’s father, David McCormick was working as a carpenter in 1995 and after using a jack hammer all day, he noticed numbness in his hands. He was subsequently diagnosed with three herniated cervical discs. Surgical fusion was performed, but resulted in nerve damage and reflex syndrome disorder. Additional surgery to relocate nerves in his left arm left him with hypersensitivity and chronic pain. Total 2009-2010 scholarship: $3000.

Stephanie Irvine, Fort Valley State – Biology

Stephanie graduated this spring and hopes to continue on to obtain a Masters Degree in microbiology. Her mother, Mrs. Mamie Irvine received a severe back injury in 1995 while employed as a packer. She reached over a converter belt to pick up a box and felt a sharp pain in her lower back. Mrs. Irvine tried to return to work in 1997, but could not perform her job duties because of the suffering she experiences from the lumbar disc damage to her back. Total 2009-2010 Scholarship; $3,600.

Tony Uriegas, Georgia State University – Marketing

Tony has completed his degree requirements and is looking into career opportunities with multi-national companies. Tony will graduate with a GPA well above 3.0 and is also considering obtaining an MBA while working. Tony’s mother, a deputy sheriff, was attacked as she drove on patrol up Highway 13 north of Gainesville. A car filled with gang members swerved into her lane and bullets from their guns hit her patrol car. As she hydroplaned on the wet highway, her vehicle slid sideways into a tree that fell onto the car roof. The roof collapsed just as the airbag inflated. Officer Uregias suffered massive injuries including a broken neck. She was in a coma for ten days and is paraplegic as a result of the attack.Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $4,000.

Kayla Chitwood North Georgia College – Physical Education.

Kayla, a senior at Gainesville State College, majors in Health & Physical Education. She and her parents attended the 2007 Builders Insurance Group Charity Golf Classic. Her father was catastrophically injured in 1999 on his job with an electrical company. Her older sister, Hannah, graduated from college in 2005 with help from Kids’ Chance and is now an elementary school teacher. Total 2009-2010 scholarship: $3000.

Saeedah Cook, St. John’s University – Sports Medicine. Saeedah graduated from Holy Spirit Preparatory School with a 95 grade point average where she was a member of the Holy Spirit Prep track team, the Region 4AA Regional Champions in the 2007-2008 academic year for independent schools. In April, 2008, she competed in the U. S. Fencing Association’s Southeast Sectional Championships placing first in the Junior Division Epee event. Saeedah began her college career last fall and will compete on the St. John’s track team. Total 2009-2010 scholarship $3,000.

Aaron Graham Georgia Southern – Business Administration. Aaron started his college studies this past fall at Georgia Southern University. His sisters, Stephanee and Chamblee have also received Kids’ Chance scholarships. Their father, Steve, suffered a catastrophic injury in 1998, which resulted in T-6 paraplegia. Total 2009-2010 scholarship: $3,000.

Mary Katherine Wiley, Mercer – English & Music

Mary Katherine is a senior at Mercer University studying English with a focus on creative writing and drama. Alice Wiley, Mary Katherine’s older sister, graduated in the spring of 2009 from Mercer and is now working as a teacher in west Atlanta. Alice received $1.500 in scholarship funding from the Builders’ Insurance Golf Tournament. Total 2009-2010 scholarships for both Wiley sisters: $4,500.

Roderick Winston, Jr. Troy State – Sports Management

Rod is a junior at Troy University where he is member of the football team. Rod’s mother was killed in 1990 in the line of duty as a police officer in Columbus. Total 2009-2010 scholarship: $3,000.

Latisha Jones, Dalton State – Early Childhood Education

Latisha entered Dalton State College over year ago where she plans to major in Early Childhood Education. During her senior high school year, Latisha was accepted to joint enrollment in which she was allowed to take all of her classes on the Dalton State campus where she has excelled. Her father slipped in grease and fell down a flight of 13 stairs causing him to fracture two vertebrae. Mr. Jones underwent surgery, but unfortunately it was an unsuccessful attempt and he is now permanently disabled. Total 2009-2010 Scholarship; $3,000.

Ashley Gilcrest, Georgia Southern – Nutrition

Ashley is a senior at Georgia Southern University and maintains a 3.0 GPA. She hopes to apply her knowledge of nutrition in a career as a sports physiologist. In 2006 her mother was working as a paraprofessional when she was assisting a 60 lb. wheelchair bound child to go to the restroom. She attempted to lift the child resulting in a lumbar post laminectomy with adhesive arachnoiditis. Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $3,000.

Matthew Johnson, Young Harris – Criminal Justice/Business

Matthew has been awarded $7,000 per year scholarship from Young Harris College, $1,180 per year in a federal work-study program and $1,100 per year from the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant. He also qualifies for HOPE. Matthew attended the Kids’ Chance Tennis Tournament last year and can be described as a humble and generous young man. He is extremely appreciative of his Kids’ Chance scholarship. In 1997, Matthew’s mother fell on an unmarked, freshly waxed floor. She fell on her left leg, resulting in a catastrophic knee injury. Mrs. Johnson has had 8 major reconstructive surgeries and several more for pain management implantations. The fall left Mrs. Johnson with major nerve damage and she is now wheelchair bound. Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $3,000.

Chevarshe is a junior with a GPA of 3.85. She plans to attend medical college and pursue pediatrics after graduation. In December 2001, her mother, a Corrections Officer, was in an altercation with an inmate. She was trying to help another officer when the inmate grabbed her arm and pushed her to the floor. Ms. Carter heard a crack in her shoulder and could not lift her arm. She is considered permanently disabled from performing her regularly assigned duties as a Corrections Officer. Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $3,000.

Collin is in his second year and making excellent grades; GPA . He participates on the Men’s Swim Team and has appeared at the Kids’ Chance Golf Tournament and Tennis Tournament. In August of 2000, Mr. Burchins was swapping seat pans when he strained his lower back. Since his accident, Mr. Burchins as gone through several surgeries. He now suffers from scar tissue, constant pain and walks with a limp and has implanted hardware and pain management devices. Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $4,000.

Johnnie attends school full time and has nearly completed training to be a chef. In 2000 Alberta Caston suffered an amputation of her fingers on her dominant right hand while she was working with an industrial strength salad shredder. Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $3,000.

Kirk has become engaged to be married and left Kennesaw College after the Spring 2009 semester to enter the U.S. Army. God speed & God protect. Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $1,500.

Tiffany is a good student in her third year of school. She plans to become a teacher after graduation. Her mother, Dianna Davis, was in training to operate machines that make tea bags. On September 22, 2005, her left hand was caught in a machine, resulting in a severe laceration of her hand and severance of her middle finger. Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $3,000.

Randolph has recently qualified for a study abroad program where he will live in Japan and teach English. Ms. Fields is a former special education teacher who suffered a severe lumbar injury in November 2006 after a student hit her in the back. During treatment for her injury, doctors diagnosed previously undetected conditions of multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia. Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $1,500.

Tanisha is a good student and looking forward to her graduation next fall. She plans to pursue work as a teacher. Tanisha’s father suffered severe head and chest injuries, which have resulted in diminished mental capacities and post-traumatic epilepsy. Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $3,000.

Kyle is in his final year at VSU. He has maintained a GPA of 3.15 while attending school and working 20-30 hours a week. In 2005, Mr. Edwards, Kyle’s stepfather, was working as a UPS delivery man when he bent down to pick up some packages. When he went to stand up he had an immediate sharp pain from his lower back all the way to his neck. He could not stand or move. Mr. Edwards stayed on the floor until the ambulance transported him to the emergency room. He still suffers from chronic pain. Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $3,000.

Joe is a great student and has made several appearances at Kids’ Chance events. He freely admits that without the help of his Kids’ Chance scholarship, he would be financially unable to attend school. In 1999, his father was lifting gas dispenser onto the back of a truck when his foot slipped in oil. Holding onto the gas dispenser to keep it from falling, he tore ligaments in his right wrist. Subsequent surgery was performed, then another requiring a bone graph from his hip. Staph infections infected the surgical site at his hip. When Mr. Ledford’s bone grew around the nerve in his hip, he had to have a bone spur removed and the nerve cut. A medical device was implanted leaving him in constant pain and needed assistant while walking. Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $3,000.

Krystal expresses her best hope is getting an education. In 2007, her father was hauling a load of logs on a stormy night when he collided with a semi-tractor/trailer overturned in the middle of the road. His neck was broken and he died as a result of the injury. Krystal’s mother is absent and she lives with her grandparents who support her efforts to better her education for a more productive work life. Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $3,000.

Shari is an exceptional student in her final undergraduate year. She plans to attend law school and specialize in Workers’ Compensation law. She feels her first hand experiences after her father’s accident will help her to affect positive outcomes for other people. Shari is strongly religious and takes pride in caring for her father’s needs. Mr. Mann was injured in 2000 while working as a pipe layer for a plumbing and heating company. He was standing in an 11-foot ditch, working with coworkers to lay a piece of pipe weighing about 300 pounds. He was struck in the right side of the face with the pipe, rendered unconscious, treated at the emergency room, underwent facial surgery and returned to work. Subsequent problems substantiated a catastrophic designation by the SBWC and he continues to be disabled. . Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $3,000.

Brandon has remained a steady student after an interruption in his education. He hopes to complete his degree requirements in the next year. Mr. Southerland was injured in 1988 during an attempt to lift a box of bolts while the box was being lowered on the tongs of a forklift. He subsequently received multiple spinal fusion surgeries and remains disabled. Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $3,000.

Matthew is the brother of Brandon and has entered his final training to become a pharmacist. He is currently working as a Pharmacy Technician while completing his degree requirements. Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $3,000.

Adam attended school during the 2009-2010 academic year while working part time for the Tybee Island Police Department. Adam made passing grades, however in April he was offered a full time position and has left school for a time. Adam’s father worked for the Savannah Police Department when on June 5, 2001, while attempting to arrest someone, he fell to the ground landing on both of his knees causing an internal derangement of his right knee. Since then Mr. Thran has had 11 surgeries. Due to complications he had an above the knee amputation of his right leg in October of 2005. . Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $3,000.

Sarah is the sister of Adam Thran and is an excellent student. She is in her third year and hopes the economy improves along with her job opportunities over the next year. Total 2009-2010 scholarship; $3,000