Earlier this year Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joseph Barrow was named the 2017 Georgia Superintendent of the Year. Along with that honor came a $1,000 prize, which he used to help two recent high school graduates with their college expenses.

Aruodo Nnanna, a 2017 graduate of Whitewater High, and Tara Gause, a 2017 graduate of McIntosh High, each received a $500 scholarship after being selected by Dr. Barrow from nominations that spanned all five high schools. School counselors were asked to nominate graduating students for the scholarship. 

Aruodo, who started classes at Georgia Tech this summer, is planning to major in business. Her counselor describes her as being a mature, highly motivated individual who impresses all who meet her.

Tara, who will start taking classes at Clayton State University in the fall, is planning to major in film production. Her counselor describes her as an intelligent, hard working, responsible, talented, and kind young woman.