GATEKEY SUCCESS STORY
GATEKEY SCHOLAR - Hunter Benham
After graduating from CHS in 2014, Hunter enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Upon completing basic training and tech school for a position in Services, he was stationed at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana from June 2015 to May 2021. While at Barksdale, Hunter served as Sports Director, a Unit Deployment Manager, and Dining Facility Manager. He deployed to Spain and Saudi Arabia.
In May of 2021, Hunter transferred to Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada. Today, he is a Staff Sargent and continues to work in Services while completing an A.S. in Hospitality and Fitness Management. He will use courses taken to continue on to a Nurse Commissioning Program. After completing the B.S. in Nursing, he will apply to Officer Training School.
Hunter plans to make a career of the U.S. Air Force and take advantage of the educational opportunities available to him.
IN THE NEWS
The Cartersville Schools Foundation recently received a donation from the family of Kimberly McMicken Athavale, a 2006 CHS grad. It is a tremendous honor for our GateKey Scholarship Program to provide the Kimberly Athavale Memorial Scholarship. The students who benefit from this generous gift and the patients they assist will stand as a tribute to Mrs. Athavale. A portion of her legacy will be attributed to changing the trajectory of students' lives so that they can change the lives of others.
"Kimbo, you would be so proud to know that today we established a scholarship at Cartersville High School in your honor. This Gatekey Scholarship, named after you, will help provide assistance to kids, with the same dream as you had, to become healthcare professionals." - Sanjay Athavale
Last month the 2022 GateKey selection process took place with almost 40 high school students submitting applications. After submittal reviews and panel interviews, 17 students were selected and will be signing GateKey agreements on Wednesday, March 30. Congratulations to:
Alexis Barnes (12) Mariah Gibson (11)
Nyla Crockran (12) Samantha Herrera (11)
AJ Davenport (12) Paola Robledo (11)
Alan Herrera (12) Moises Alarcon (10)
Staci Kennedy (12) Victor Lopez (10)
Hannah Kown (12) Jade Hernandez (9)
Yulaiza Ochoa (12) Kenney Betancourth (9)
Olamide Sadiku (12) Jayden Velez (9)
Amari White (12)
Three 8th grade students became the newest members of our group of REACH Georgia Scholars. Congratulations to Jasmine Eckert, Oscar Ocaranza, and Katy Abeja. The Cartersville Schools Foundation currently supports 19 REACH Scholars in grades 8-12, as well as several who are currently in college or beyond.
REACH scholars who maintain the requirements of the contract will be awarded $10,000 over four years for college with the possibility of additional matching funds from the college they choose to attend.
Our 2021 GateKey and REACH graduates are well into their second semester of college! We are very proud of all of your accomplishments and wish you the best as you continue your college journey!
Alexis Arredondo - Georgia Highlands College
Kevin Betancourt - University of Georgia
Kolbe Benham - Marist College
Abel Espinoza - Georgia State University
Maria Castro - Georgia Highlands College
Phaedra Coleman - Georgia Tech
Katlin Evans - Georgia Highlands College
Samantha Gaylor - Georgia Highlands College
Jimena Hernandez - Georgia Highlands College
Quante Jennings - Presbyterian College
Brittney Milian - University of Georgia
Najiya Phillips - Chattahoochee Technical College
Tyler Putz - Kennesaw State University
Evans Toviave - Georgia State University
CONTACT US
35 Nelson Street
P.O. Box 3310
Cartersville, GA 30120
Tel: 770-387-4710