Members of the Pilot Mountain Civic Club recently recognized the recipient of the 2024 Civic Club Scholarship Award at their June 18 meeting. This long-standing tradition is an annual award given to a student planning to attend Surry Community College.
The Civic Club collaborates with the counselors at East Surry High School who evaluate applicants based on need as well as achievement of specific academic criteria. A panel of principals, counselors, and assistant principals review senior student applications and recommend the award recipient.
The monetary award is sent to the Surry Community College Foundation and applied to the student’s tuition costs. In a twist on traditional scholarships, the award can be requested by the student for a second year based on maintaining the required grade point average.
At its meeting the club honored Elijah “Eli” Senter, a senior at East Surry High School, who received this year’s award and was honored at the Civic Club meeting luncheon. Elijah was accompanied by his brother Peyton at the meeting.
Elijah lives in Holly Springs and is the son of Ashley and Ricky Senter; he is proud to have four siblings. His family attends Revelation Baptist Church in Ararat and he is active in the church. According to his mom, he has a tender heart and is a very “giving” person. She said he would give you the shirt off his back if needed.
Elijah shared his plans which include pursuing the two-year program at SCC to be a physical therapy assistant. He then plans to attend Western Carolina University for a degree in sports medicine. He is an avid sports enthusiast having played football and baseball with East Surry Little League and continuing through high school.
Elijah had the good fortune to be accepted at other colleges, even including a sports scholarship, but decided to stay closer to home at this time. His parents said they are most proud of his dedication to giving 100% to any opportunity presented to achieve his goals. In an illustration of that dedication, they said he is often the first to show up for ball practice and the last one out of the locker room — many times staying to clean the locker room.
Recently his grandmother took a fall which his family said made him aware of the important role that physical therapy played in her recovery. Elijah shared that this financial award will be helpful as his siblings also plan to attend college.
One Pilot Civic Club member stated that “it says something about you” to come and present to the club. They said members were impressed with Elijah’s presentation and ability to articulate in a professional manner.
The club looks forward to him requesting renewal of the scholarship for his second year as they “are confident that he will be successful in his endeavors.”
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