Seven graduating seniors from area high schools have received the 2005 South Shore Academic Scholarship, a $1,000 scholarship renewable for four years. South Shore Foundation is the charitable foundation of NATCO.

Students receiving the scholarships and their schools are: Kayla Wallace, Bergman; Jessica Gass and Trenton Elliott, Bruno-Pyatt; Allissa Curtis, Flippin; Dusty Roberts, Lead Hill; Tiffany Aldridge, Omaha; and Kala Evans, Yellville-Summit.

School administration officials select their school’s recipient from applicants based upon their academic record and financial need. The $1,000 scholarships can be renewed each year if recipients meet the requirements of attending an Arkansas college or university, earning a "B" average, and being a full-time student.

Bergman High School’s scholarship recipient, Kayla Wallace, plans to attend the University of Arkansas for studies in pre-veterinary medicine and poultry science. She plans to study veterinary medicine at Oklahoma State University. In high school, Kayla was president and secretary of Future Farmers of America and qualified for the state poultry contest three years. She was in Senior Scholars and the Art Club. She earned honors in English II, natural resources, and advanced animal science. Kayla is the daughter of Kathy Wallace of Harrison.

Bruno-Pyatt School selected two seniors to split the $1,000 scholarship this year. They are Jessica Gass and Trenton Elliott. Jessica will attend Arkansas Tech University to study chemistry, then enroll in two additional years of study to become a chiropractor, she said. In high school, Jessica was a class officer, an officer in Future Business Leaders, Interact Club, Family, Career and Community Leaders, Math and Science Club. She won district FBLA awards and state FCCLA awards. Jessica was a Governor’s Youth Board member and a South Shore-Marion County Youth Leadership Team member 2001-’02. Jessica’s parents are Jim and Allane Gass of Harrison.

Trenton Elliott will attend Hendrix College, majoring in biology, then continue his education to become a physician, he said. He is a certified First Responder and Rapid Response team member. School activities included being a state, district, and local officer of Future Business Leaders, officer of the Math and Science Club, Interact Club, Chess Club Captain, Mock Trials Team Leader, officer and state award winner in Family Career and Community Leaders, and South Shore-Marion County Youth Leadership Team member 2001-’02. He is the son of Mona and Curtis Elliott and lives at Pyatt.

Flippin High School’s South Shore Academic Scholarship recipient is Allissa Curtis. Allissa plans to attend the University of Central Arkansas to major in political science, then continue her studies in law. She was president of her graduating class as well as Interact, Foreign Language Club, and Future Business Leaders. Allissa also took part in Art Club, Arkansas Young Artist Association, Drama Club, SADD, Senior Executive Council, Girls Basketball, and Future Farmers. Honors include membership in National Honor Society, and awards in English, Spanish, history, and math. She is the daughter of Tom and Rhonda Curtis and lives in Flippin.

Dusty Roberts received the South Shore Academic Scholarship at Lead Hill High School. Dusty will attend Arkansas Tech University to study computer engineering. In high school, Dusty was an All-Region basketball player, an All-District baseball player, receiving the Defensive Player of the Year as third baseman two seasons in a row, participated in golf, and was chosen "Mr. Tiger" at Lead Hill High School 2003-04. He was an officer of Future Business Leaders, a participant in Quiz Bowl, and was chosen Student of the Month. Also a member of National Honor Society, Dusty was recognized in Who’s Who Among American High School Students. He is the son of Kim Marine and Dale Roberts and lives at Lead Hill.

Tiffany Aldridge is the South Shore Academic Scholarship winner at Omaha High School. An honor roll student, Tiffany plans to attend Arkansas Tech University to study pre-law. In high school she was active in Health Occupations Students of America, Future Business Leaders and Family, Career, and Community Leaders. She was chosen Miss Omaha High School, was an All-Star participant, and Girls State senator. Tiffany is the daughter of Lewis and Wendy Rein and Bill and Barb Aldridge and lives at Omaha.

Kala Evans of Yellville received the South Shore Academic Scholarship at Yellville-Summit High School. She will attend the University of Arkansas to major in biology in preparation for a career in the medical field. In high school, Kala was co-captain of the Lady Panther basketball team and catcher for the Lady Panther softball team. She belonged to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Yellville-Summit chapter. She was an officer in Future Business Leaders and took part in the 2003 M.A.S.H., medical applications of science and health, a hospital-based job shadowing program for students. Kala has worked as a lifeguard and is a member of the Yellville Volunteer Fire Department. She is the daughter of Bill and Sandy Evans of Yellville.

For more information about the South Shore Academic Scholarship program or the foundation, visit www.southshore.com or call 1-888-SSHORE1(774-6731).

The South Shore Academic Scholarship program began in 1996 and replaced the NATCO scholarship program. NATCO is a family-owned and operated independent company providing local telephone service since 1951 to six exchanges: Bull Shoals, Diamond City, Flippin, Lead Hill, Omaha, and Pyatt. NATCO is located at 301 E. Main St. in Flippin, telephone 1-800-775-6682, and on the Web at www.natconet.com.