Garrett Todd Orr, 19, has won a $500 Douglas Lacy Harris study grant to help underwrite his course work at Three Rivers College. The Harris fund is administered by the Three Rivers Community College Foundation.
Orr is a 2017 graduate of Doniphan High School, where he was Beta Club president, Choir Club vice-president, and participated in Pep Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He won district and state honors in choir and in Future Business Leaders of America competitions. In addition, Orr volunteered as a tutor and cadet kindergarten teacher.
He is the son of Kim and Jeana Orr of Doniphan.
"My dream job is to become an elementary teacher and influence the lives of many students," Orr wrote in his application essay. He plans to earn an associate degree at Three Rivers, then transfer to Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau to complete his bachelor's degree. He credited several Doniphan teachers for inspiring him to become a teacher himself.
The Douglas Lacy Harris Fund makes study grants to Three Rivers students who are graduates of either Doniphan or Naylor high schools. The late Douglas Lacy Harris was a lifelong resident of Doniphan and a World War II veteran. For many years, he ran the Doniphan Chevrolet dealership founded by his father, the late C.A. Harris. After he retired, D.L. Harris established his trust to "invest in people who care about the Ripley County area," according to family friends. Mr. Harris died in September of 2001.
The TRCC Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt corporation offering donors substantial tax deductions for their contributions. The foundation administers numerous scholarships and special projects that benefit Three Rivers College and its students. For additional information, contact Executive Director Judith Scott at (573) 785-3743.