Scholarship Winners

Bailey Eaton is the granddaughter of the late Larry Ainsworth, a 56-year Welder member. She is a 2018 graduate of West Monroe High School in West Monroe, LA. While attending WMHS, she was an active member of the Character Counts Club, Spanish Club, and the National Honor Society. During Bailey’s freshman year, she was recognized by the school’s faculty and awarded one of 25 Freshman of Excellence awards out of over 500 students. She was also a member of the WMHS Rebel Choir for three years and participated in two tours that traveled worldwide. She consistently earned a spot on the Honor Roll/Principal’s List. Following graduation, she enrolled in Louisiana Tech University, pursuing an undergraduate degree in pre-professional speech-language pathology. While attending LA Tech, Bailey has been an active member of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Baptist Collegiate Ministry, and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She has been the recipient of scholarships and an Outstanding Student award. Bailey has consistently maintained a GPA of 3.6 or higher while making the dean’s/president’s list. Upon graduation with her bachelor’s degree, Bailey hopes to pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Her ambition is to work as an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association licensed professional and be a certified speech-language pathologist specializing in early intervention.

Mandy Franklin, from Bastrop, LA, is the daughter of Donna and Matt Franklin, a 32-year Welder member. She is a 2016 graduate of Ouachita Christian School in Monroe, LA, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, Art Club, Spanish Club, and high school band and choir. She began attending the University of Louisiana at Monroe and was on the dean’s list for four semesters. In December 2019, Mandy graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology. Her academic honor society memberships include the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She was also a member of the Health Studies Student Association and the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association, where she participated in many volunteer opportunities. Mandy is currently in her second year of graduate school at ULM, pursuing a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. She is a graduate assistant for the university and a present member of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association, as well as the previously mentioned honor societies. She has recently been nominated for membership in the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Mandy plans to graduate in December of 2021 and begin her clinical fellowship to obtain her Certificate of Clinical Competence, as well as her license to practice independently as a speech-language pathologist.

Madison Gaines, of Dalhart, TX, is the daughter of Stephanie and Joe W. Gaines, a 21-year Welder member, and the granddaughter of the late Joe B. Gaines, an 18-year Welder member.  Madison graduated as salutatorian from Dalhart High School in May of 2020 with a Health Science Endorsement.  In June of 2020, she graduated summa cum laude from Frank Phillips College with an associate degree in science. Madison currently attends the University of Texas in San Antonio, majoring in biology. She plans to graduate in May 2022. Following graduation, she plans to attend physician assistant school at UTSA. Madison has two younger siblings, Joseph and Emily. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and playing video games.

Emily Greger is the daughter of 13-year Welder member Marty Greger. She grew up in a small town and graduated as class valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA. In high school, she participated in basketball and the yearbook. At Emily’s school, she sang the National Anthem for games and was also honored with the opportunity to sing at the 2019 Steward School. Currently, Emily is a sophomore at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK, pursuing a degree in speech-language pathology. At NSU, she is involved with the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, helping to lead worship. In college, Emily has maintained a 3.89 GPA, qualifying her for both the President’s and Dean’s Honor Roll. In July 2021, Emily is getting married, and next semester she plans to apply to graduate school.

Madison Hurt is the daughter of Michele and Joseph Hurt, a 12-year Welder member. She lives in Saint Amant, LA, and is a graduate of Saint Amant High School, where she was an honor student and student-athlete. Madison just completed her junior year at Our Lady of Franciscan Missionaries University, where she is pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She has made the President’s List her first two years of college and currently maintains a 3.86 GPA. Her academic record has earned her the Dean’s scholarship through FranU, and she is on track to graduate in May of 2022. After graduation, Madison plans to continue her education by earning her Master of Science degree in nursing with the hopes of becoming a nurse practitioner with a specialty in pediatrics. She looks forward to continuing her academic journey and applying this scholarship to her future education.

Clara McCahren is the granddaughter of Sharon and William McCahren, a 57-year Welder member. Clara graduated from Juniata High School and was in the National Honor Society, Varsity J, and ranked in the top 10 of her class. She has completed two years of college at Penn State Harrisburg and will attend the main campus in the fall as a Junior in BioRenewable Systems.

Sierra Mooney is from Archer City, TX, and is the daughter of Tonya and Boucher Mooney, a 13-year Welder member. Sierra is a first-generation college student currently enrolled at Texas A&M University in College Station. She is a member of the Department of Communication Honors Program, pursuing a degree in communication, a minor in sports management, and a certificate in strategic communication. Sierra has maintained a 3.942 GPA as a college student and served as a 2019 Fish Camp Counselor. She is an active Recruitment Committee member of Aggie Sweethearts, a women’s organization on TAMU’s campus that promotes leadership, sisterhood, spirit, service, and community outreach. She plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in communication and then pursue a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction. Sierra’s long-term goal is to become an English teacher.

Miranda Moser is the daughter of Bart Moser, a 35-year Welder member. She was born and raised in Morgantown, WV. The close connection to her hometown made it easy to decide to advance her education at West Virginia University for her pre-pharmacy coursework. In 2019, Miranda was accepted into WVU’s School of Pharmacy. Her accomplishments include: Phi Lambda Sigma Community Service Co-Chair; Pediatric Pharmacy Association Philanthropy/Service Coordinator Co-Chair; Lambda Sigma Kappa Social Co-Chair; American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists Midyear Regional Meeting Liaison, president-elect, P1 Student Liaison, Social Committee member, Fundraising Committee member, and October Member of the Month.  Miranda was recognized on the dean’s list for the 2019 fall semester and the 2020 spring and fall semesters for achieving a 4.0 GPA. She was also awarded the School of Pharmacy Annual Achievement Scholarship. In April 2021, Miranda was inducted into Rho Chi Society, an academic honor society in pharmacy. Post-graduation, she plans to further her education and complete a PGY-1 residency in acute cure. Then, Miranda would like to specialize in pediatrics.

Kayley Robinson is from Charleston, WV, and the daughter of Loretta and Dwayne Hardman, a two-year Welder member. Kayley graduated from Clay County High School with a 4.3 GPA. During high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society, the Science Bowl Team, and the AP Government and Politics “We the People” team. Her team won the West Virginia state hearing and competed in the United States finals in Washington, D.C. Upon graduation, Kayley dedicated her summer to an AmeriCorps service program, Energy Express. Kayley just completed her junior year as a nursing student at West Virginia University, minoring in medical humanities and health studies. She has been named to the president’s list and the dean’s list each semester during her college career. Kayley has completed the honors foundation program at WVU, is a PROMISE scholar, a member of the Alpha Rho Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, and the Honor Society of Nursing. She has volunteered for the American Red Cross, Relay for Life, a local preschool program, and local health departments. She is currently a nursing assistant at WVU Medicine while attending school. After obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree, her plans include gaining bedside experience and furthering her education.

Katie Smith is the daughter of 24-year Welder member Clayton Smith and Jamie Smith of Foreman, AR. She is a 2020 graduate of Foreman High School, where she was a co-valedictorian. During high school, Katie was inducted into the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She was also a Gator cheerleader for five years and was recognized as an NCA All-American cheerleader twice. She was a member of the Foreman FFA horse judging team, which competed successfully at both the district and state levels. Katie grew up riding horses and competed in several local high school rodeo associations in barrel racing, pole bending, and goat tying. Katie is currently a pre-vet major pursuing a degree in agriculture science at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. Her future plans include attending veterinary school at Oklahoma State University.