Scholarships

Congratulations to our 2026 Scholarship Winners:
Carson McCalpin, Emily James, & Gracie Hibbs

(Click Names above for their Thank you Letters)
The Charlie Rollins & Gay Henson Scholarship Award Program is in investment in the future of our members, their families, and our Association. These scholarships are to provide to reward academic excellence while balancing school, athletic/other activities, family, and community. All the applicants worked very hard and are described by their references as achieving this balance plus maintaining their strong moral character and humility amid their successes. Each students’ application was reviewed several times by each Committee member. Quite frankly, we wish that all could be awarded an EA scholarship. The Committee is confident that each applicant will continue to be upstanding, responsible citizens that contribute greatly to their families, churches, and communities.
After careful consideration of the seven very worthy applicants for the 2026 Charlie Rollins/Gay Henson scholarships, the Scholarship Committee came to a unanimous decision. Committee member. Quite frankly, we wish that all could be awarded an EA scholarship. The Committee is confident that each applicant will continue to be upstanding, responsible citizens that contribute greatly to their families, churches, and communities.
Please join us in congratulating to Carson McCalpin, Emily James, and Gracie Hibbs as the top three applicants; each student will receive a $2,000 scholarship to assist in furthering their secondary education. These young individuals are high achieving scholars and athletes in addition to volunteering their time and talents in their communities.

Emily James (3rd Annual VW Presidents Scholarship) – Emily Ingle was born and raised in Athens, Alabama, and graduated as salutatorian from West Limestone High School in 2021. She earned her undergraduate degree in general biology with a minor in chemistry from the University of North Alabama, where she served as president of Alpha Epsilon Delta, the National Health Pre-Professional Honor Society. While at UNA, Emily volunteered with Hospice of North Alabama and Keep the Shoals Beautiful, conducted research with the HudsonAlpha CODE program and Auburn University’s Scott-Ritchey Research Center, and worked as a certified pharmacy technician at a family-owned compounding pharmacy. In Summer 2023, she joined the Huntsville Rural Pre-Medical Internship, gaining clinical experience through one-on-one patient interactions and learning about Alabama’s growing need for rural physicians. After graduating UNA in Spring 2024, Emily worked as a medical assistant in Athens under Dr. Robyn Wilson and nurse practitioner Tye Hutt, whose compassion and dedication inspired her continued pursuit of family medicine. In the spring of 2026, she completed her master’s in biological sciences while completing the Rural Medicine Program at Auburn University. Emily is preparing to start at University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine this July. Emily and her husband, Noah, plan to stay in rural Alabama, where she hopes to serve the community they grew up in.

Carson McCalpin (Gay Henson Scholarship) – Carson just completed his second year at The University of North Alabama in Florence, AL. Carson is an Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology major with a minor in Occupational Health and Safety. Carson is a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Calvary Baptist Church. He is the recipient of the University of North Alabama Excellence Scholarship and has achieved a position on the deans list. He is actively involved in the University’s Campus Outreach program.

Carson was a 2024 Honors Diploma graduate from Russellville High School in Russellville, AL. During his time at RHS he was a member of the National Honors Society, National Technical Honor Society, Rocketry Team, Varsity Football, Track, and Golf.

Carson has also been involved with the on campus charter of TPUSA and philanthropy initiatives through Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

Gracie Hibbs (Charlie Rollins Scholarship)

Gracie Hibbs is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA as a Sustainability major with a Business Administration minor. A committed leader within the Delta Phi Lambda sorority, Gracie served as both the Academic and Fundraising Chair this year, where she managed chapter-wide academic standards and directed philanthropic events for bone health awareness. She was recently elected to serve as the Vice President of Records for the upcoming year. On campus, she is also an active member of the Tennessee Speech and Debate Society, the Multicultural Greek Council, the Chinese Culture Club, and Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

Before her time at UTK, Gracie graduated as the Valedictorian of her high school class. Her early passion for law and the environment led her to become a Supreme Court Historical Society Scholar, where she co-created an educational exhibit for the Chattanooga Federal Courthouse. She was also a national finalist in the Federal Bar Association’s Civics Essay Contest and a Mock Trial Co-Captain, leading her team to multiple victories. Gracie continues to give back to her community by volunteering with Little Chefs, Big Change, teaching nutrition and cooking skills to children in underserved areas.

PREVIOUS WINNERS:

• 2025 - Gracie Hibbs, Graham Jenkins, & Madison Stuber

• 2024 - Madison Stuber & Maggie Tate

• 2023 - Connor Anderson & Madison Ellis

• 2022 - Kelsey Hewitt

• 2020 - Nolan Scherer Smith

• 2019 - Victoria Starks

• 2018 - Sarah Houff

• 2017 - Nolan Smith

• 2016 - Gwen Foster & Jarod Davis

• 2015 - Gwen Foster

• 2014 - Phillip Evans & Hayley Dinkins

• 2013 - West Phifer & Hannah Davis

• 2012 - Katherine Thurman & Chapelle Ayres

• 2011 - Jessica Henson & Trey Brown

• 2010 - Samuel Broder