We are pleased to announce the winners of the Finklea, Hendrick & Blake inaugural scholarship contest. We sponsored this event in appreciation for the Pee Dee voting us as the Best Law Firm in the area in 2021. We planned to award 8 scholarships in the amount of $500.00; however, we have changed our mind and will award additional scholarships! We were surprised by the overwhelming participation - we had 84 applications. We were encouraged by how many applicants were worthy of recognition, humbled by the accomplishments of the students and inspired by the obstacles so many overcame to reach this point. Therefore, in addition to the 8 scholarships promised, we will award 7 junior scholarships in the amount of $250.00. We didn’t realize how difficult selecting recipients would be – it was a difficult process. The recipients were from Academy for Arts, Science & Tech; CE Murray High School; Cheraw High School; Conway High School; Dillon Christian School; Florence Christian School; Hannah-Pamplico High School; Hartsville High School; Hemingway High School; Homeschooled; Johnsonville High School; Lake City Early College High School; Lake View High School; Lamar High School; Latta High School; Marion High School; Marlboro High School; Mayo High School for Math, Science & Technology; Mullins High School; Pee Dee Academy; SC Connections Academy; SCAIHS – Homeschool; Scotland High School; South Florence High School; The Carolina Academy; The King's Academy; West Florence High School; Wilson High School with varying majors. The goal was not to provide a scholarship to those in the top of their class, although we looked at grades, but a variety of factors: one was to someone attending a local technical college to obtain his Commercial Driver’s License, some to those who will be the first in their family to attend college, many from difficult family situations, some struggling with health issues and other compelling and heart tugging issues. Thus, we plan to provide everyone who participated a $25 gift card to Walmart. Best wishes to all of our 2022 high school graduates and thank you to our educators for their service and dedication.

Our 2022 $500 Scholarship recipients are: Genovia C. Brand from C. E. Murray High School, Robert Cade Ardis from South Florence High School, Maggie Long from The Carolina Academy, Ansley Craig Martin from Pee Dee Academy, Devin D. Gillespie from Cheraw High School, Cyrus Ellison from Hannah-Pamplico High School, Jaydah C. Tisdale from West Florence High School, and Natalie Meggs from Mayo High School for Math, Science, and Technology.

Our 2022 $250 Junior Scholarship recipients are: Jacob Perry Truesdale, Jr. from Johnsonville High School, Zion Trenyce Brown from Marlboro High School, Katheryn Chilton from South Carolina Connections Academy, Isabella Eckert from Wilson High School, Kavon Ra'cheiyd Richardson from Mullins High School, Tyleek Na'Jae Williams from Timmonsville High School, and Emma Sansbury from Conway High School.

Congratulations to all of our 2022 Scholarship winners!