SHANNON - Five seniors at Shannon High School were awarded Marchbanks Helping Hand Scholarships on Friday.

The five scholarship recipients for 2009 are Brittany Mary Frances Baggett, Zachary Jordan Caldwell, Veronica Jenay Edwards, Chelsey Symone Freeman and Shana Latrice Green.

The scholarships, which will cover book costs for up to four college semesters, were presented at the school's Awards Day by Greg Pirkle, member of the CREATE Foundation's Board of Directors and chairman of the Programs and Grants Committee.

About the scholarship

The Helping Hand Scholarship program was established through an endowment to the charitable CREATE Foundation from the John and Frances Marchbanks Endowment Fund to students at Shannon High School.

John Marchbanks, a Shannon native, maintained a deep love for the Northeast Mississippi area where he grew up, said Jan Eastman, director of development for CREATE.

"It was his desire to help people overcome their problems, misfortunes and handicaps, thereby assisting them to help themselves achieve a better life and become productive citizens," Eastman said.

CREATE has awarded more than $120,000 in scholarships from the Marchbanks Endowment to 35 Shannon High School students since 2006. In addition, beginning with the 2009 graduating class, CREATE is funding $150,000 annually, or 50 percent, of the Lee County Tuition Guarantee program from the Marchbanks Endowment.

Eastman said the purpose of the Marchbanks Helping Hands Scholarship is to provide a financial incentive for students in Shannon to be good citizens, perform well in the classroom, graduate from high school and pursue additional educational opportunities.

In 2009, scholarships to Itawamba Community College also will be available by application to former Shannon students completing their GED.