Oak Ridge Lions Club awards scholarships to five 2023 ORHS grads

Patti Cates
·3 min read

The Oak Ridge Lions Club awarded $500 scholarships to five Oak Ridge High School graduates of the class of 2023. They are Josephine Hatch, Maryssa Mixon, Leah Puchalsky, Spencer Shults, and Haleigh West.

“We are so proud of these students,” said Lion Larry Losh, chairman of the Scholarship Committee. “They were selected out of the 86 applications that we received and reviewed.”

“Our committee works each year to choose students who are especially deserving of a scholarship,” Losh continued. “These five outstanding young people particularly impressed the committee.”

Two of the students, Hatch and Shults, spoke at a recent meeting, and shared their experience at Oak Ridge High School (ORHS) and future plans.

Hatch started at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in August. “For my undergrad, I am considering a business major,” she said. “Then I want to get a master’s degree in library and information science.”

“I liked the atmosphere of MTSU and have several friends there,” Hatch continued, “so it is the right place for me.”

Hatch added, “I volunteered at the Oak Ridge Public Library and worked with their historian as part of a high school class.” Her favorite part of high school was that class at the library, as well as connecting with people in the community.

Hatch also volunteered with the Salvation Army and worked for 12 hours per week at Chicken Salad Chick.

Shults then spoke. He also starts MTSU in August. He plans to study media and video production and wants to earn a minor in music. “I studied broadcasting all four years of high school,” he said, “and did video work at ORHS as well.”

“A large part of high school for me involved the marching band and jazz band. I have auditioned for the jazz band at MTSU,” he added.

Shults plays percussion and was part of the Indoor Percussion Drum Line, which earned 10th place out of the country at a competition in Dayton, Ohio. “We did fruit sales and other fundraisers to help pay for the trip,” Shults said. “Thanks to the Oak Ridge community for their support.”

Shults chose MTSU since they have a strong program in broadcasting. Also, he said “It’s not too far from home and has a beautiful campus.”

Mixon is attending East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and wants to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing or be a physician’s assistant and plans to enroll in such a program after ETSU. At ORHS, her favorite subject was science. She was in the Interact Club, HOSA, and National Honors Society at ORHS.

She worked at Tri-County Small Animal Hospital, where she watched and assisted surgeries. Mixon also worked on her pharmacy tech certification and did shadowing at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge in several departments. She is CPR and OSHA certified.

Lion Larry Losh, center, was the chairman of the committee that awarded scholarships to five Oak Ridge High School graduates. He is pictured with two of them who attended a recent meeting. Josephine Hatch, left, and Spencer Shults, right.
Lion Larry Losh, center, was the chairman of the committee that awarded scholarships to five Oak Ridge High School graduates. He is pictured with two of them who attended a recent meeting. Josephine Hatch, left, and Spencer Shults, right.

Puchalsky is attending Pellissippi State Community College and plans to study aerospace engineering. She enjoyed aeronautics, mathematics, and graphic design while at ORHS, and was in the Interact Club, ASAP Youth Ambassadors Coalition, and the National Honor Society.

She also worked at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers during high school and helped with high school game concessions.

West is attending South College and majoring in nursing, with plans to be a pediatric nurse practitioner. At ORHS, she was in the Interact Club, HOSA, Ski and Snowboard Club, and played softball.

During high school, West most enjoyed science and mathematics classes. She worked as a pharmacy cashier, a lifeguard, and a marina gas attendant. She is CPR, first aid, and OSHA certified.

Lions Clubs work with vision-impaired and blind people by supporting programs such as the Tennessee School For The Blind, the East Tennessee Eye Bank, and training of Leader Dogs. Lions also support diabetes awareness and the fight against childhood cancer.

The Oak Ridge Lions Club meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. On the second week via Zoom and the 4th week at Shoney’s in Oak Ridge. For additional information, please contact the club at 865-297-3251.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Oak Ridge Lions Club awards scholarships to five 2023 ORHS grads