MERF Awards Scholarships

As an educational organization, not only does Mentone Educational Resources Foundation (MERF) support educational activities, we also award scholarships to very deserving students. There are many hard-working, academically successful students in our community. Choosing the recipients is difficult!

This year, MERF began administering the Mentone Heritage Scholarship. Northeast Alabama Community College provides this annual scholarship that covers tuition and books for a graduating resident in the Valley Head or Mentone area. Daxson Crow is this year’s recipient.

Daxson takes pride in being a fifth-generation Mentone resident. He recounts a family story passed down from the Civil War. “It was very interesting to learn about my heritage and to hear stories that have been passed down through generations about family members you will never have the chance to meet, but somehow seem to know through those stories,” he wrote. As an active community member and volunteer, Daxson is a fine example of our younger generation and a proud contributor to Mentone’s heritage.

The Carter Holland Educational Fund helps continue a legacy of good character, kindness, and leadership. After his death, Carter’s parents, family, and friends established this fund to encourage others to also have those qualities.

This fund provides money for the Mountain Spirit Award. This year it recognized a student each in sixth and eighth grades with a gift of Beat Studio headphones, plus recognized a graduating senior. These students are nominated by teachers and staff, then selected by the MERF scholarship committee. This fund also provides two scholarships to graduating seniors.

Jayden Bain was this year’s sixth-grade Mountain Spirit Award winner. Teachers said Jayden is honest and dependable with strong leadership skills. Eighth-grader Hunter Battles was recognized for being respectful, sweet, kind, and a hard worker. He is a Boy Scout just as Carter was.

Senior Brant Smith, who achieved Eagle Scout rank just as Carter Holland did, received $1,000 for the Mountain Spirit Award. Brant is very active in the school and the community. Teachers said, “He truly represents the very best of what our school aspires to be, and … is the perfect candidate for the Mountain Spirit Award!”

Senior Vanessa “Aly” Head received the Carter Holland Memorial Scholarship for $1,000 to any college. MERF recognizes her leadership skills at work as well as her overall good character. Aly truly enjoys helping others.

Senior Abigail Phillips also received a $1,000 Carter Holland Memorial Scholarship. “Abby” leads by being a good example and helping teammates reach their goals. She is honored to serve the community and plans to give back through a career in criminal justice, protecting local citizens.

MERF is proud to recognize these outstanding students. We congratulate all 2024 graduating seniors as they transition into their adult lives by furthering their education or entering the workforce.