COUNTY — Nine members of the class of 2016 have earned the School District of Pickens County Teacher Forum Educational Scholarship.

The scholarships are awarded to graduating senior Teacher Cadets from each Pickens County high school, and the seniors selected must have completed a Teacher Cadet course as a junior or senior. Also, the students must be planning to attend a technical college and transfer to a four—year college or to attend a four-year college or university in South Carolina and must be declaring a major in Education in order to qualify. The SDPC Teacher Forum is composed of the teachers of the year from each school in Pickens County.

“I’ve had the opportunity to read and score these applications for a couple years, and what impresses me in essay after essay is how influential teachers have been in these seniors’ lives,” said Nikki Miller, the 2015-2016 district teacher of the year. “I think we’re reaching a critical time when we will be in need of quality teachers, I’m happy that these scholarships are going to some very promising future educators, and the teacher forum wishes them the very best.”

Winners earned scholarships of $2,000, and runners-up earned scholarships of $750.

The recipients of this year’s Teacher Forum Scholarship are:

Ashley Dubose — Daniel High School, winner

Paige Dewitt — Easley High School, runner-up

Pamela Rico — Easley High School, runner-up

Lexys Baker — Easley High School, runner-up

Anna Martin — Liberty High School, winner

Hanan balawi — Liberty High School, runner-up

Grace Littlejohn — Pickens High School, winner

Savannah Masters — Pickens High School, runner-up

Mansi Brown — Pickens High School, runner-up