Pictured are the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association scholarship winners from Russellville High School. (From L to R): Jenna Sornberger, Michaela Cox, Adam Mitchell, Braxton Dempsey, scholarship presenter Orland Britnell, Colton Hargett, Lacey Oliver and Chase Holland.

The Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association recently awarded scholarships to deserving seniors in both the city and county school systems.

Past president Orland Britnell said the Franklin County Cattlemen presented 24 scholarships from their scholarship fund, and two additional scholarships – the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association’s “Tagged for Greatness” scholarship and the Thomas Harbin Memorial Scholarship – were also presented to local students.

“We are very proud of these students and what they have accomplished,” Britnell said.
“We are proud to be able to give out this many scholarships to our local seniors. We’d like to thank the community for supporting our organization throughout the year through our ribeye steak sandwich sales that make these scholarships possible. We look forward to continuing to raise money for our young people in the years to come.”

• 2014 Franklin County Cattlemen Scholarship recipients are:
Russellville – Michaela Cox, Adam Mitchell, Braxton Dempsey, Will Hester, Jenna Sornberger, Chase Holland and Lacey Oliver.
Phil Campbell – Haley Swinney, Levi Swinney, Trevor Farley, Shely Hudson, Lucas Hurst, Marcus Lyons.
Tharptown – Kelby Hallmark, Kayla Creasy.
Belgreen – Lexie Bragwell, Katelynn Scott.
Vina – Fallyn Shotts, Andrew Hester.
Red Bay – Kloie Mills, Kasey Sparks, Keenan Sparks, Alyssa Hutcheson, Elizabeth Wooten.

• Colton Hargett from Russellville High School was the recipient of the Thomas Harbin Memorial Scholarship, given by family and friends of Thomas Harbin, who was a long-standing and integral part of the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association.

• Adam Mitchell from Russellville High School was presented with a “Tagged For Greatness” Scholarship at the 71st Annual Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Trade Show in Montgomery.
Adam is the son of Larry Mitchell from Franklin County. Adam will graduate from Russellville High School with a 4.17 GPA and a 30 ACT score. Adam is a part of the National Honor Society, Franklin County Junior Leadership, and Russellville Golden Tiger Anglers.
Each year, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation awards “Tagged for Greatness” scholarships to deserving youth from Alabama’s livestock industry. These scholarships are funded through the sales of the “Cowboy Tag” which is available at your county’s tag office and is approved for vehicles up to 10,000 pounds.
The beef industry is the second largest segment of Alabama’s farm economy representing a $2 billion industry with annual sales of cattle and calves exceeding $450 million. The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, founded in 1944, is one of the nation’s largest state cattlemen’s associations with an annual membership of 11,000. For more information, visit the ACA website at www.bamabeef.org.