Milton native among 9 scholarship recipients

PENSACOLA — The Ascend Cares Foundation, the nonprofit organization of manufacturer Ascend Performance Materials, has awarded scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to nine area students.

These winners are children of employees at Ascend Performance Materials’ Pensacola facility.

Shelby Lee Willett of Milton, 20, is a junior at the University of Mobile majoring in elementary education. Outside of school, Shelby volunteers in the vacation Bible school programs with Wacissa United Methodist Church, Hickory Hammock Baptist Church and Shepherd House. She has also done mission work in Guatemala and Peru. Her parents are Casey and Trent Willett. Trent Willett is a lead mechanic with Ascend.
Micah Brown of Flomaton, 21, is a junior at Troy University, majoring in elementary education. Outside of school, she volunteers with Feed the Veterans, Open Gym, Park Memorial, Heart Walk, City Wide Clean Up, Salvation Army Bell Ringing, Food Drive Alpha Gamma Delta and Harvest Pumpkin Patch. Her parents are Lori and Michael T. Brown. Michael T. Brown is a maintenance mechanic with Ascend.
Omari Christopher Harris of Pensacola, 17, is a senior at Booker T. Washington High School. He plans to attend Florida A&M University and major in business administration. Outside of school, Omari volunteers with Hope Camp, Cobb Community Center, Mt. Pilgrim Vacation Bible School and the Ronald McDonald House. His parents are Marcia and Hillary Harris Jr. Marcia Harris is a chemical processor with Ascend.

Keyana Mahallati of Pensacola, 17, is a senior at West Florida High School of Advanced Technology. Keyana plans to attend Florida State University and major in biological science. Outside of school, she volunteers with Chain Reaction. Her parents are Golnar Mahallati and Majid Mahallati. Majid Mahallati is a lead chemical operator with Ascend.
Abri’ McDaniel of Cantonment, 18, is a sophomore at Troy University, majoring in biomedical sciences. She is a member of the Troy University Gospel Choir. Outside of school, she is involved with the Ronald McDonald House and NAACP. Her parents are Twana and Donald McDaniel. Donald McDaniel is a powerhouse operator with Ascend.
Tylon McDaniel of Pensacola, 18, is a senior at West Florida High school of Advanced Technology. Tylon plans to attend Pensacola State College and major in engineering. Outside of school, he volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House, ARC Gateway and the Optimist Club. His parents are Donna and Robin McDaniel. Robin McDaniel is a CP control room lead with Ascend.
Jacob Norre of Cantonment, 19, is a sophomore at Texas A&M University where he is a member of the Corps of Cadets. Outside of school, he volunteers with the Miracle League. His parents are Cathy and Michael Norre. Michael Norre is a project manager with Ascend.
Bailee Reeder of Pensacola, 19, is a sophomore at and ambassador for Pensacola State College where she is majoring in nursing. Her parents are Dana and Justin Reeder. Justin Reeder is a lead processor with Ascend.
Allison Woodfin of Molino, 19, is a freshman at Troy University, majoring in communications and a member of Chi Omega. Outside of school, she serves as an intern in the Escambia County Office of Community and Media Relations. She has volunteered with Escambia 4-H, a National Youth Development Program under the guidance of the University of Florida. Her parents are Jennifer and Hudson Woodfin. Hudson Woodfin is a reliability specialist and mobile workforce lead with Ascend.

The organization selected applicants based on their outstanding community service and strong academic achievements.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton native among 9 scholarship recipients