Samantha Shelton, 18, of Van Buren, has won a $200 Illa Cook Award to help pursue her studies at Three Rivers College. The study grant is administered by the Three Rivers Community College Foundation.
Shelton is a 2017 graduate of Van Buren High School, where she was named to the all-conference cross-country track team, played basketball and took part in Senior Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America and Science Club. She also did volunteer work at a local blood drive and a highway clean-up project.
She is the daughter of Robert and Shawnee Shelton, of Van Buren.
In her application essay, Shelton said she plans to attend Three Rivers for two years, then transfer to a four-year college for a bachelor's degree in health sciences. "Then I will pursue my master's degree in occupational therapy," she wrote.
The fund generating Shelton's study grant is named for the late Illa Cook, of Poplar Bluff, who died in November of 2015 at the age of 87.
Mrs. Cook had retired after 25 years as a supervisor with the Missouri State Department of Social Services. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Poplar Bluff and served as a volunteer at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum and at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Cook's three sons and one daughter all attended Three Rivers. Her children started a grant fund in her name several years ago as a Christmas present. Mrs. Cook grew up in Van Buren as Illa Frazier. She said she wanted the recipient of the study grant to be a Van Buren High School graduate.
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.