Epiphany Scholars Reflect School's Commitment to Christian Values
by Amy Sutherland '72

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"...recipients of the Epiphany Scholarship continue to demonstrate a personal manifestation of their love of God in their daily lives."

Dennis Maynard, past rector of Christ Church Episcopal, established the Epiphany Scholarship for the school to honor the student in each class who exemplifies a commitment to Christian values through, among other attributes, outreach to others. As this article reflects, recipients of the Epiphany Scholarship continue to demonstrate a personal manifestation of their love of God in their daily lives.

Jim Henley was awarded the honor for 1992. He is currently a full-time hydrogeologist in Princeton, New Jersey, while he also works part-time toward his master's degree in hydrogeology from Clemson University. In 1999-2000, while living in Seattle, Washington, Jim served on the Vestry of Church of the Ascension Episcopal Church, where he was responsible for outreach programs.

Josh Kellett '93 says he has always had a heart for service. After graduation from Wake Forest University, Josh spent five years in youth ministry. Currently, he is in his second year of medical school at NOVA Southeastern University. He enjoys volunteering at Joe Dimaggio's Hospital and at rural health fairs across south Florida. About receiving the Epiphany Scholarship Josh reflects, "It was a tremendous honor for me. Not only did it help me realize that life's true gifts and blessings come from a life of grace, love and service toward others; but it also set me on a path to do what I truly believe I was made to do-practice medicine."

Josh's sister, Eden Kellett, won the award for 1995. Eden obtained a master's degree in physical therapy from MUSC. Last year, Eden traveled to Thohoyando, South Africa, on a medical mission trip. In January she returned to the mission to work there for six months in a children's orphanage that is home to 400 mentally and physically disabled children. Eden says of her plans, "I truly feel the Lord has placed this on my heart, and I am excited for the journey…My desire is to go share Jesus's love with the children and staff of the orphanage using my physical therapy skills."

Melissa Morrow, Epiphany Scholar for 2000, is an architecture student at Clemson University. Melissa hopes to attend graduate school at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, where she will focus on designing buildings and communities for "at risk" populations. Melissa's early community service experiences at CCES inspired her desire to want to improve the living conditions of the poor. In eighth grade she tutored underprivileged children, and in tenth she served as a counselor at Camp Opportunity, an experience she continued for six summers. Last year she began to follow the progress of two young girls she had supervised at camp. Visiting them in their homes inspired Melissa's desire to create a better living environment for children like her young friends.

Elizabeth Marion received the award for 2001. She is currently a religion and history major at the University of South Carolina. She plans to work for two years after graduation and enter the seminary after that. Her long-term goal is to teach religion at the university level.

Lace Cosgrove was the scholarship recipient for 2003. She is a sophomore at Virginia Tech working on majors in Spanish and business. She is deeply involved in a Christian ministry there. When asked about her experience at CCES, Lace relates, "CCES has been a constant reminder of the importance of faith in Christ. From singing our hearts out in primer to learning the Episcopal prayers through chapel, I found that if desired, we could take advantage of the time to focus on the Lord week to week, day by day. While that is a choice that anyone, anywhere can make, it was especially nice that CCES encouraged that."

Although the Epiphany Scholarship highlights only one student per year who exemplifies a commitment to Christian values, all students at CCES enjoy an environment that celebrates the love of God and of God's people in daily lives.

About the Author: Attorney Amy Sutherland has retired from the bench; she served as a South Carolina family court judge from 1992-2002. Since "retirement," she has served as a community volunteer and as an advocate for the guardian ad litem program. She is the mother of Asher Watson '04 and Mary Elizabeth Watson '07.