Excelling in and out of the classroom is why Hannah Smith, Ashley Blackmon, Keyonna Fuller and Claire Clark were the recipients of 2013 LadyBUGS scholarships.

LadyBUGS, a Leeds/Moody business professional women’s group, primarily exists to award two Leeds senior high school girls and two Moody senior high school girls with scholarships.

“I’m truly honored to have served on the scholarships committee for a number of years now in some capacity,” said LadyBUGS treasurer Lindsey Ryals. “It’s a great process.”

Calling on judges from outside the Leeds/Moody areas, Sandra Naramore and Jennifer Gray from BancorpSouth along with Malinda Fomby of St. Clair County Department of Human Resources interviewed approximately 15 exiting high schoolers with college in sight.

“We had a ball,” said Naramore. “It’s an honor and a privilege. These young women are so inspiring, it’s hard to narrow it down, but your daughters are the cream of the crop.”

Hannah Smith, also known as Greenie, the Leeds High School mascot, is headed to the University of Alabama where she will study communicative disorders and Spanish.

“I’m looking forward to college,” said Smith. “It’s going to be nice.”  

Honored that Hannah was chosen, her mom Celia Smith thanked the LadyBUGS for the scholarship.

“I want to say thank you,” said Celia. “You could use these funds for anything and you chose scholarships. I’m a proud parent for that, so thank you.”

Ashley Blackmon, also from Leeds, and Clair Clark of Moody High School will both be “building the pride” at the University of North Alabama.

Proudly wearing the green and gold, Moody High graduate Keyonna Fuller will be attending UAB.

Fuller is majoring in civil engineering.

An accomplished clarinet player, Fuller is excited about joining the Marching Blazers and attending UAB band camp.

Evaluated on grades, community involvement and college readiness (to name a few), these recent graduates embody the characteristics of any LadyBUGS member, ladies believing, understanding, guiding and serving.

Extending their gratitude to the LadyBUGS organization for asking them to serve as judges, Fomby said, “I want to say thank you to the LadyBUGS for sponsoring this for the community.”

Naramore said to the recipients and their parents, “We see your daughters as special and deserving. I know your hearts are just bursting. We applaud your accomplishments and support your dreams for the future.”