Gadsden Sportsman's Club sponsoring more local scholarships

The Gadsden Sportsman’s Club this year was able to increase the amount of scholarships it gives out. Currently, the club is able to give out nine scholarships to Etowah County to atte Gadsden State Community College.

“We recently received an anonymous donation of $20,000,” said club President Tim Carter, “This, along with the money we have already raised, allows us to give out nine scholarships at a yearly value of $3,000 each to be broken up over two semesters.”

This year's recipients were honored during the club's Super Bowl party. They are Lori Barnes, Peyton Brown, Samuel Clark, Emma Guthrie, Alania McKiven, Brock Stewart,, Drake Stewart, Dakota Smith and Kennedy Williams.

The Gadsden Sportsman’s Club was started “in the mid-1980s,” according to Carter, as a way for members to give out scholarships to students at GSCC. Carter began working with the club more than 12 years ago, and said it has continued to “step up” and increase its efforts each year.

“Our biggest thing each year is fundraising for our scholarships. When I started, we only gave out two scholarships, but over time, we’ve been able to increase how much we are able to give out,” he said. “We get to do smaller fundraisers each year with T-shirt and sticker sales.”

Carter said the club hosts several events each year to raise money. One is the sale of Boston butts or roasted pork shoulders to the community. The club also makes a little money off its annual Iron Bowl party, and also receives extra donations from the community.

“One of our members also owns the Redneck Yacht Club and we couldn’t ask for anything better,” Carter said “On the last day of operations each year, he will pay his staff and we will go around and collect money from people there. Last year, we raised $1,752, to give you an idea as to how much of an impact that fundraiser makes.”

To apply for a scholarship from the club, students must complete an application that includes letters of recommendations from either their counselors or teachers, and a personal essay as to why they need the scholarship money.

“We give the scholarships through a needs-based system,” Carter said. “We spread the word about the scholarship over mostly word of mouth, reaching out to schools and students who may need to know about it. We want to know why you need the help instead of just passing it out ... .”

From there, club members on the Scholarship Committee, a group of three to five members, will discuss each application and determine who is most in need of the scholarship money.

“We try to pick the most deserving student who needs it the most, which is what makes this scholarship so important,” Carter said.

Students interested in applying for these scholarships can contact one of the club’s members to receive an application.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden Sportsman's Club sponsoring local scholarships