Tebra Laney Hopson All Is Well Scholarship

I am Ethan Winchell, a senior at Cumberland Academy in Tyler, Texas, where I have attended school since 8th grade. I am graduating early—I was originally supposed to graduate in 2027, but I wanted to begin my adult life sooner. To make that possible, I completed three college classes through TJC, took multiple online courses, and still leave school three class periods early each day. Before attending Cumberland, I went to Winona from Pre‑K through 7th grade. I am 18 years old and have worked since my freshman year of high school. I have held one main job at Braum’s, and I also work at a firework stand during the holidays. I am a former student and the grandson of Tebra Hopson. She was one of the greatest influences in my life because she helped raise me. She took me to school every day, and I ate lunch with her almost every day. I lived with her for more than half my life, and she played a major role in shaping me into the person I am today. I am truly grateful to have been able to call her my grandmother. If I am awarded this scholarship, I plan to use it to attend Texas Bible College in Lufkin, Texas. My goal is to earn my associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Theology and minor in Christian counseling , but more importantly, I want to study the Word of God on a deeper level than I ever have before. I hope to use what I learn to teach others how to walk with God, follow His will for their lives, and strengthen their relationship with Him, I also want to become a youth pastor cause I’ve always had many great role models that were youth pastors and teachers I’ve always felt called to the youth ministry’s, to teach kids how to have a relationship with god and to trust him in the waiting For my secular career, I hope to become either a firefighter or a police officer so I can help people in need and make a positive difference in my community. My family has always worked in the medical field, government, or the military, so I grew up surrounded by service‑oriented careers. I have completed four years of law enforcement classes, and I am CPR certified, FEMA certified, and hold a Level 2 security license after passing my IBC, which qualifies me to work in private security right out of high school. Thank you for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship.

My name is Adon Warren and I am a senior at Winona High school. I have attended Winona all 13 years of school. I am actually a second generation graduate from Winona because my mother graduated from here as well. I am the oldest of four children in my family and will be the first of my siblings to graduate and go off to college. I am a honors student as well as taking dual credit classes over the last two years. In addition to my academics I am a multi-sport athlete and play football, basketball and baseball. I have received numerous district awards including Academic All District. I am a member, and the current President, of the Winona FFA, National Honors Society member and HOBY Youth Leadership Award recipient. I fell in love with welding my freshman year of high school due to my amazing Ag teachers at Winona High School as well as coming from a family of welders. I want to develop my passion for welding by continuing my education and getting a degree in engineering with a focus on welding. I love designing and building projects and through the FFA have been very successful with by Ag mechanic projects over the years. I want to develop this passion further and turn it into a career of designing and building business’ and homes. I never realized how many different avenues welding could take me down and I look forward to building a career in something I am passionate about. I would also like to minor in business as well. In the 8th grade I started mowing lawns and by my sophomore year I started my own lawn care business with the help of my parents. Running my business has showed me how sweet the fruits of my labor can be. It taught me the importance of hard work and building relationships by taking care of others. A business degree will help me to one day take my engineering degree to a new level and possibly run my very own company as well. I want to be successful when I build my company and having a business degree will allow me to properly run that business to the best of my abilities. By receiving this scholarship it will help me get another step closer to accomplishing my goals and dreams. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity that awaits me and thankful for your encouragement to help make students dream a reality.