The Community Foundation of Davie County honored donors, scholars and their families in May at the Great Davie Roundup.
More than 130 people joined Clint Eastwood, Hop-Along Cassidy, the Lone Ranger and Tonto for a special celebration. Following a Howdy by Chairman Neal Foster, Bill Junker offered a Blessin’ for the Grub and Fixins that were served by ranch hands from the Community Foundation Board. As dessert was served, attendees heard some Tips for the Trail from Kathryn Smith, a rising sophomore at UNC Greensboro, and Joe Phillips, a rising junior at UNC Asheville. Kathryn advised guests to measure success by their own standards, not those of the world. “Be happy with yourself and don’t let the opinions of others influence you,” she said. Joe advised scholars to “keep climbing new walls, reaching for new heights and accomplishments.”
In addition to a barbeque dinner, cowboy hats and orange bandannas, scholars received a golden horseshoe to: wish them luck; wish them solid footing for taking their next steps; and give them a piece of Davie County to take with them as they move onto the next phase of their lives. “We want you to take a piece of Davie County with you,” said board member Carl Carney. “We want you to know your community is with you and wants to support you.”
Board member Marlene Shamel brought advice from Roy Rogers: Be neat and clean; Be courteous and polite; Always obey your parents; Protect the weak and help them; Be brave but never take chances; Study hard and learn all you can; Be kind to animals and take care of them; Eat all your food and never waste any; Love God and go to Sunday school regularly; and Always respect our flag and our country.
The evening ended with a rendition of “Happy Trails” by the Community Foundation Board. Scholars and their families enjoyed taking pictures with the western heroes and their families. “We host the scholarship dinner to thank our donors who are investing in Davie County students and honor the scholars and their families. It gives them all a chance to meet and talk at a fun and relaxed evening in the middle of a very busy time for graduating seniors,” said Foster. “I think our board enjoys it as much as the students and their families do!”
