For their higher education in the arts, this year’s local high school graduates Chelsea Chao and Micayla Ross have each been awarded $1,000 Mary Wheeler Davis Scholarships by the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, SC.
Annually, the Cultural Center awards these scholarships to local graduating seniors who will pursue college degrees in the visual or performing arts. The qualifying criteria are character, financial need, and artistic potential. The scholarship’s namesake, Mary Wheeler Davis, was a Charleston, SC, native and the wife of Dr. William Davis. A graduate of Columbia College, Davis made her home in Spartanburg and became a community leader with heavy involvement in the arts. The memorial scholarship program was established in 1989 by her family.
Chelsea Chao is a 2012 graduate of Oakbrook Preparatory School with a career interest in the visual arts. She has won numerous awards for her work in graphic arts from the South Carolina Scholastic Press Association and has demonstrated abilities in digital art, graphite, charcoal, acrylic and printmaking. She hopes to attend either Converse College or Winthrop University to study either art therapy or graphic design.
Micayla Ross is a 2012 graduate of Dorman High School with a career interest in music and business. She has received numerous awards for her work as a cellist. She hopes to attend Furman University and double major in music and business administration. Ultimately, she hopes to enter the music/entertainment industry and become a music producer.
“On behalf of the Chapman Cultural Center and the entire arts community of Spartanburg, we congratulate both Micayla and Chelsea,” Ava Hughes, Arts Education Director for the Chapman Cultural Center, said. “They both exemplify the qualities set forth by Mary Wheeler Davis, and they and their parents should be proud of their accomplishment thus far. We hope these funds help these young women in their pursuit of excellence in the arts.”
This scholarship will be continued for the 2012-13 school year and students are encouraged to investigate the application process. The exact deadline has not been determined at this time, but will be in the early spring of 2013.
For more information, please contact Hughes at 864/278-9693 or by e-mail at (aHughes@SpartanArts.org).
Tags: Carolina Arts, Chapman Cultural Center, Chelsea Chao, Mary Wheeler Davis Scholarships, Micayla Ross, Spartanburg SC, Visiting South Carolina, Visiting Spartanburg SC
