The State Board GJCL Convention Scholarship
The John Fong Memorial National Convention Scholarship
Funded and Administered by Smokey Ardisson

There are two scholarships available to members of the Central Gwinnett HS Latin Clvb to help defray the cost of attending the annual Junior Classical League conventions, the State Board GJCL Convention Scholarship for attendance at the Georgia state convention, and the John Fong Memorial National Convention Scholarship for attendance at the National JCL convention.

Established by Consvl Emeritvs Smokey Ardisson in the spring of 1997, the Scholarships were designed to help continue the tradition of excellence exemplified by Jessee Morris's 1995-1996 term as GJCL President and the high standing in JCL that Central Gwinnett gained over the years. The scholarships seek to encourage attendance at State and National Convention, promote participation in JCL and Latin Clvb, and to honor certain members of the Central Gwinnett Latin Clvb for their contributions and accomplishments.

The State Board GJCL Convention Scholarship

The State Board GJCL Convention Scholarship is awarded anually in March to a Central Gwinnett student planning to attend the GJCL State Convention in April of the same year. In 1999, two Scholarships worth $60 each were awarded; the Scholarship will always at least cover the cost of one GJCL-mandated Convention fee (in the past, $60).

This Scholarship was established in 1997 to encourage attendance at State Convention, to promote participation in JCL and Latin Clvb, and to honor those who have taken their participation to the next level by running for state office. In the past several years, several members of the CGHS Latin Clvb have led Central to greater heights in the GJCL by running for state office. This Scholarship honors their dedication to improving Latin Clvb at Central, their love of the JCL experience, and also recognizes Central's two state officers, Smokey Ardisson (1994-1995 GJCL Editor) and Jessee Morris (1995-1996 GJCL President).

To promote these same values and encourage future students to run for state office, the State Board GJCL Convention Scholarship is awarded annually to a student or students who show enthusiasm, dedication, and love of Latin. Sometimes the recipient is a senior attending his/her final convention as a JCLer, while other times the recipient is an enthusiastic underclassman attending his/her first convention. Both types of student promote the JCL spirit that is so valuable for a successful Latin Clvb.

Some of those this Scholarship honors are Jonathan Wetherington (1992 Host contestant), Jessee Morris (1994 Host runner-up and 1995-1996 GJCL President), Amanda Sifford (1994 Hostess contestant and 1997 Secretary nominee), Smokey Ardisson (1994-1995 GJCL Editor), Karinna Riddett (1995 Hostess 3rd place and 1996 Presidential candidate), Jada Johnson (1996 Hostess contestant), John Konomos (1997 Host runner-up), and Katie Michael (1997 Hostess contestant).

Previous Recipients
1998: John Konomos and Amanda Sifford
1999: Rebecca Powell and Kate Beatty

You can read the proclamation establishing this Scholarship.

The application for the 2005 Scholarship can be downloaded here.

The John Fong Memorial National Convention Scholarship

The John Fong Memorial National Convention Scholarship is awarded anually in May to a Central Gwinnett student planning to attend that summer's NJCL Convention. In 1999, one Scholarship was worth $120 was awarded; the Scholarship will always cover the cost of the initial packet (in the past, $50), and the remainder may be applied to the balance of the Convention fee or to the GJCL-approved travel and spirit fees.

This Scholarship was established in the spring of 1997 to encourage more Central Gwinnettians to attend National Convention and to promote participation in JCL and Latin Clvb. In Central Latin's ten-plus year history, there had only been two delegates to National Convention, Jessee Morris in 1994 and 1995 and Sherrod DeGrippo in 1995. It is amazing what having even one delegate attend National Convention can do for a Latin Clvb; within a year after Jessee first attended National Convention, he was elected the GJCL President, and Central had one of the largest and most enthusiastic Latin Clvbs in the state. It is my hope that this Scholarship will allow others to attend National Convention, return with the same enthusiasm, and help lead Central Latin to great heights again.

In 1999, the Scholarship was also formally renamed in memory of John Fong, a member of the Central Gwinnett Latin Club from 1992 until his tragic death in January of 1995. John was a belovèd member of the Latin Clvb and the Central Gwinnett community. John was dedicated to Latin, was a good friend, and he also drew the masthead for the state newsletter, the Alæ Mercvriî, for me when I served as GJCL Editor. John and I had planned to attend the 1994 National Convention with Jessee, but financial situations prevented us from doing so. John added so much to Central Latin and our lives, and this scholarship honors his memory and his many contributions to Latin Clvb.

Previous Recipients
1999: Melissa Campos

You can read the proclamations establishing and renaming this Scholarship.

The application for the 2005 Scholarship can be downloaded here.

All members of the Central Gwinnett Latin Clvb planning to attend either of the Conventions are encouraged to apply for these Scholarships. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Smokey Ardisson, Central Gwinnett HS Latin Clvb Consvl Emeritvs and the donor-administrator of the Scholarships.

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