The Taylor Haugen Foundation is proud to announce that the 2011 Taylor Haugen Scholarship recipients are Julia Denney from Rocky Bayou Christian School and Taylor Nixon, representing Niceville High School.
Julia Denney
Julia is an honor student at Rocky Bayou Christian School where she excels in volleyball and academics. She plans to study prosthetics at St. Petersburg College. Her parents are Mark and Pam Denney.
Taylor Nixon
Taylor Nixon, an honor student at Niceville High School, excels in leadership, academics and wrestling. He plans to study chemical engineering and pre-med at the University of Florida in the fall. His parents are Chris and Lavina Nixon.
“I am very proud of the scholarship winners and all of the applicants this year,” said Kathy Haugen, Taylor Haugen’s mom. “They all have bright futures ahead of them and it is always hard to just pick two, but I know that Julia and Taylor will continue in their successes and uphold the values of the foundation as they pursue their college careers. “T” would be proud of the quality and character of his graduating class of 2011.”
The Taylor Haugen scholarships are offered in the memory of Taylor Reid Haugen, Class of 2011. Taylor was a member of the Niceville Eagles Football and Wrestling Teams as well as being an honor student at Niceville High School. He was comfortably expressive about his faith in God and showed it through his commitment to volunteer work in his church and community.
Scholarship nominees must be graduating seniors at an Okaloosa county high school who participate in a high school sport while maintaining a 3.5 grade point average. They must also demonstrate active participation in community service and show dedication to their Christian faith.
“I salute all of the 22 applicants,” noted Brian Haugen. “Their values and testimonies were powerful and moving, it’s a shame we are only able to chose two. In reading Julia and Taylor’s essay’s, there was no dry eye. These kids have been through some serious trials in their young lives, yet they have come out of it with positive attitudes and strong faith. With kids like this, it makes me feel confident in our country’s future.”
Since 2009, the Taylor Haugen Foundation has awarded six scholarships. The scholarships are awarded to area athletes who best demonstrates a similar balance between academics, athleticism, leadership, community service and Christian faith. The Foundation recognizes those well-rounded individuals who demonstrate the perseverance to improve themselves in all aspects of their life while enjoying God’s gifts to the fullest.
For more information on the Taylor Haugen scholarship recipients, contact Heather Kilbey, scholarship chairperson, at 850-585-5071 or Melissa Mowrey, Executive Director, at 850-485-0658.
The Taylor Haugen Foundation provides support and recognition to faith-based, athletic students and community organizations through awards, scholarships and funding. The Foundation serves to recognize the following attributes and character traits: Christian faith, athletics, community service, academics and leadership.
To read the winning essays, click 2011 scholarship recipients’ essays.