BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Bradford High School seniors Shelby Burkhalter, Eden Chalker, Kylee Davis and Raven Ford were recipients of this year’s Kiwanis Club of Starke Steve Denmark Memorial Scholarships.
Each student receives a $500 check made out to the school of their choice. The Kiwanis Club of Starke donated $1,000 toward the scholarships, with the late Denmark’s wife, Kitten, providing a matching donation.
Burkhalter, Davis and Ford were recognized at the club’s April 26 meeting, while Chalker was recognized at its May 10 meeting.
Burkhalter is president of the National Honor Society and has been a band leader for six years. She has a grade-point average of 4.3 and recently received the Principal’s Achievement Award. She is dual enrolled through Santa Fe College (3.6 GPA) and plans to attend the University of Florida with hopes of becoming a nurse.
Chalker, a member of the National Honor Society, has a GPA of 4.52 and is a recent recipient of Principal’s Achievement and Golden B awards. She is a paid intern at VyStar Credit Union’s BHS branch and volunteers at vacation Bible school at First Baptist Church, Southside Elementary School and Union County Housing Authority. Chalker is dual enrolled at Santa Fe (4.0 GPA) and plans apply for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program in the fall, beginning as a full-time student in January 2023.
Davis, who has a 4.0 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society and recent recipient of Principal’s Achievement and Golden B awards. She is a welcome-team leader at Cross Church and has been with Starke Dance Academy for 15 years, both as a dancer and now as a teacher for ages 3-13. Davis’ goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management.
Ford has a 3.5 GPA and is a recent recipient of Principal’s Achievement and Golden B awards. She worked alongside Athletic Trainer Crista Rosborough during BHS football games. Ford plans to attend the University of Central Florida and become a travel nurse. She wants to travel the world and help others become more healthy.
Scholarship namesake Steve Denmark passed away at the age of 71 on April 28, 2019. The lifelong resident of Starke and Kingsley Lake graduated from Bradford High School and received a business degree from the University of Georgia. After college, he returned to Starke and took over the family business — Denmark Furniture.
Denmark was a charter member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Starke and had a great love for the community, giving of himself through service and donations to support many organizations, businesses and schools.
