Mariah is a 2023 Newton High School Graduate. She finished school with a GPA of 4.00 and will be attending Kennesaw State University where she will major in nursing and ultra-sound tech. To qualify for the scholarship, applicants were asked to write a short essay on the most influential person in their life. Kaitlyn chose her mother, who strives to make the best of every situation to make everyone in the family happy regardless of her own happiness. According to Mariah, "My love for my mom is unmeasurable and I genuinely believe she deserves the world because she always gave it to me."

Makayla is a 2022 Newton High School Graduate. She finished school with a GPA of 3.00 and will be attending the Georgia State University where she will major in nursing. She was a cheerleader in Newton County for four years. To qualify for the scholarship, applicants were asked to write a short essay on the most influential person in their life. Kaitlyn chose Jesus, leans on him for every aspect of her life. She looks to Jesus for wisdom and guidance.

Kaitlyn is a 2021 Newton High School Graduate. She finished school with a GPA of 94.52 and will be attending the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, an HBCU, where she will major in kinesiology. She played softball at the Newton County Recreation Department for 3 years. To qualify for the scholarship, applicants were asked to write a short essay on the most influential person in their life. Kaitlyn chose her father as he instilled in her perserverance and determination. We are very proud to present Kaitlyn as the first Sherman C. Graves III Scholarship award recipient.