The Smith Mountain Lake Lions Club Scholarship Trust, Inc. and the SML Lions Club awarded nine college scholarships totaling $42,000 and $3,000 respectively to Franklin County High School seniors at the club's meeting on June 5.

The SML Lions also awarded two one-time scholarships of $1,500 each to outstanding FCHS scholar-athletes. These scholarships are paid from funds raised through the club's annual fundraising activities.

Scholarship winners are Ashlee Washburn (Scholar-Athlete; will attend UVa-Wise); Melinda Matherly (Scholarship Trust, will attend James Madison University); Jeffrey Shively (Scholarship Trust, will attend Virginia Tech); Emily Law (Scholarship Trust, will attend James Madison University); Seth Sigmon (Scholarship Trust, will attend Bridgewater College); Bianca Castaneda (Scholarship Trust, will attend Radford University); Tyler Brubaker (Scholar-Athlete, will attend Ferrum College); Lauren Carlson (Scholarship Trust; will attend Radford University) and Faren Campbell (Scholarship Trust, will attend Virginia Commonwealth University).

The SML Lions Club Scholarship Trust was established in 1990 to reflect the club's commitment to service in the community. The Scholarship Trust has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships, including the 2008 awards, to FCHS students furthering their education in Virginia's higher education system.

The Trust is administered by a board of directors comprised of Lions and members of the Franklin County community. Currently, each scholarship is $1,500 per year for four years, or a total of $6,000. Seven of these scholarships were awarded in 2008.

DOCKSIDE