Dewitt F. Ford is recipient of 2008 Mary Gaffney Knuckles scholarship

Dewitt Floyd Ford (second from left) was presented his scholarship award from Mary Gaffney Knuckles' widower, Rev. London C. Knuckles, (second from right) and her daughter, Dr. Mary Knuckles Jones (far right). Also pictured is Ford's mother, Cheryl Ford. Dewitt Floyd Ford is recipient of a $500 scholarship from the Mary Gaffney Knuckles Education Scholarship Foundation.

Ford will be attending Clemson University and majoring in education. According to his teachers, he is an outstanding student who has a passion for learning. He graduated with a GPA of 3.56.

His academic achievements and special recognitions include ACT 21 + Club, President's Education Award, SAT 1000 + Club, Player of the Week (football), and Best Defensive Lineman. He is a member of the Blacksburg High School football and track teams, and bowling league. One of his teachers indicated that "he is a gifted young man whose academic prowess, athletic abilities, humor, and kind heart will allow him to not only fulfill his dreams but also make a valuable contribution to society."

Additionally, he is a member of Young's Grove Baptist Church in Blacksburg and very involved in activities there. He serves as vice president of the Young's Grove Choir, member of the Usher Board, the Mission Ministry, and the church's Visionary Ministry.

While presenting the donation, Rev. Knuckles indicated that this gift is a "spring that hopefully will become the mighty Mississippi River and that Dewitt will become not good, not better, but the best that he can be."

Applications were available at both Blacksburg and Gaffney high schools and, hopefully, next year more scholarships can be offered.

Donations can be made to the Mary Gaffney Knuckles Education Scholarship Foundation at Bank of America on Floyd Baker Boulevard or by contacting the Knuckles family at 864-489-0164; 185 Shady Grove Road, Gaffney, S.C. 29341.