The scholarship committee of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Maxton will present monetary awards to two Scotland High School graduates to help defray costs during their upcoming collegiate careers. The scholarships, of an undisclosed amount, will be presented during the church worship service on July 19.

The Tracey and Myrtle Watson Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to Michael Ryan Walker, a 2009 graduate of the high school who plans to attend UNC-Pembroke on a baseball scholarship this fall. According to the Rev. Ann Giles Benson, pastor of St. Paul's, the Watson fund was established in memory of the great foundational members of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in order to recognize their enthusiastic service and dedication to the church.

"Tracey Watson was a Sunday school superintendent who was great at mobilizing church members to do various projects," Benson said. "He was one of the pillars of the church."

The J.D. Hagler Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to Andrew Bryan Hagler, a grandson of J.D. Hagler who plans to attend Western Carolina University in September.

"I am honored to receive a scholarship from the fund established in memory of my grandfather, a great man who valued education highly," Hagler said.

The J.D. Hagler Memorial Scholarship is jointly awarded with Snead's Grove United Methodist Church.

"While members of these two churches are given priority, these scholarships are available to members of the community as well," Benson said. "To apply, we invite you to visit St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Maxton to pick up an application."

The completed form may be returned to St. Paul's by mail at P.O. Box 429, Maxton, NC 28364 to the attention of scholarship board member Claudia Floyd.

The scholarship committee bases its decision on a student's grades, his or her interest in attending college, the applicant's interest in service oriented work, and in extracurricular activities, according to Benson. An essay on what the student intends to pursue in college is also required.

"St. Pauls is pleased to be able to encourage these fine young men in their collegiate careers," Benson said. "We wish them all the best."

Michael Ryan Walker could not be reached for comment.