Before graduating later this week, ten area seniors were awarded $12,000 in scholarships Monday night at the Dallas/Wilcox Bama Club annual scholarship banquet, held in the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center; each receiving $1,200 towards their expenses at The University of Alabama in the fall.

“What we’re about is getting young people to go to The University of Alabama and tonight we have 10 young people that I’m very proud of, and I think all of us could be very proud of as they go off this fall to The University of Alabama,” James McNeil, Bama Club’s scholarship chairman said.

McNeil told the audience that in less than 20 years the Dallas/Wilcox Bama Club has gone from $10,000 in endowed funds to currently having $391,638 for endowed scholarships.

“I think that says a lot for the membership of this local organization,” he said.

The audience applauded in agreement.

The students were called one by one to receive their certificate of achievement.

Those students selected from Dallas and Wilcox Counties included: Hannah M. Davis from Dallas County High School; Me’Shellai McWilliams from Selma High School; Amy E. Chandler and Lizzie Reeves from Morgan Academy; Jennifer E. Sims and Rikisha Bridges from Wilcox Central; Brian Daniels from Wilcox Academy (who was unable to attend); Candice Clark from the Alabama School of Math & Science (who was also unable to attend and had her mother accept the award on her behalf); and Autumn Williams and Fayth L. Williams from Evangel Christian Academy.

Ronnie Leet, Bama Club president, told the recipients they will make the Bama Club proud while they are in Tuscaloosa.

“That’s a great group and we can’t wait for them to be good stewards for not only The University of Alabama but also Selma and Dallas County, and Wilcox County, which I know they will be,” Leet said.

Eli Gold, known as the voice of the Crimson Tide, served as guest speaker for the awards banquet and in addition to providing club members and guests with his take on Alabama’s upcoming football season, coaching staff and players, he offered the students a few words of advice before they embark on their next stage of life at the Capstone.

“Take advantage of everything that the university has to offer,” Gold said. “They have made not a four-year  decision; they have made a 50-year decision.

“Just because they’re going to be on campus for four years, they will always be a member of the Alabama family, so they need to embrace everything, experience everything that the university has to offer, and then when they graduate they’ll also find out that in the business world, Alabama grads always look out for other Alabama grads. There are opportunities in the business world that will come their way because of their affiliation with the university.”

Gold said that whether these students decide to pursue football, go into the school of music or nursing — they’re making a lifetime decision, not just a four-year commitment.