Retired principal funds scholarships for Muscogee students in memory of educator, student

Six seniors at a Columbus high school have received college scholarships funded by a retired principal and named in honor of an educator and a student, who both died from cancer.

The scholarships were announced Wednesday in the Spencer High School auditorium.

Johnny Freeman, who retired last year as Spencer principal, established the Charleen Brown Robinson Scholarship Foundation in honor of his friend and Muscogee County School District colleague who was principal of Rigdon Road Elementary School when she died from breast cancer in 2022.

“Her dream was to establish a foundation to assist students pursuing postsecondary degrees,” Freeman told the Ledger-Enquirer.

After her death, Freeman established the foundation to help preserve the memory of her life.

Then, in February, 15-year-old Alexis “Lexy” McRae, a student at MCSD’s Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts, died from osteoscarcoma , a bone cancer.

She helped put national attention on health insurance problem when her family’s Medicaid waiver was denied without explanation, but Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp restored it after she wrote him a letter.

Lexy’s father, Michael, is a math coach at Spencer, so Freeman decided to fund a scholarship to help preserve the memory of Lexy’s life as well.

“Two very special angels were called home way before anyone expected,” Freeman told the L-E. “These young ladies fought a valiant battle while maintaining a positive and unwavering spirit that inspired everyone they encountered. Both loved education and our Spencer High School Greenwave family.

“… Therefore, I will use this education foundation as a means to honor their legacy and dedication to education so that their fire will continue to shine now and forever,” he added.

Freeman asked seven community leaders to be members of the committee that selected the scholarship winners. In addition to the $1,000 Alexis McRae Scholarship, he had planned to fund three $2,000 Charleen Robinson Scholarships this year. But the committee was so impressed with the quality of the six finalists they interviewed among 25 applicants, he agreed to also fund two $500 runner-up Robinson scholarships.

The selection criteria included a minimum 3.0 GPA, good behavior, recommendations from an administrator and teacher, community involvement and leadership.

Here are the recipients, with highlights from their resumes:

Jada Brown, $2,000 . She was accepted into the University of Georgia, where she plans to major in middle grades education. She is the valedictorian of her class and a Page One Award nominee. Her extracurricular activities include art club, National Honor Society, Academic Decathlon, Student Ambassador and DECA. Her community service includes food drive, art teacher assistant, Feeding the Valley, Empty Bowl and Spencer Spirit Store cashier and clothes designer. She has a 4.3 GPA.

Justin Cheatham-Merritt, $2,000 . He plans to major in finance and biology at Georgia Military College. He is president of the school’s DECA chapter and finished in the state competition’s top 10. His other extracurricular activities include student ambassador, golf team co-captain, football, student government and president of school’s Science National Honor Society chapter. His community service includes Student 2 Student, Peer Essay Review, RESA Advisory Board and Muscogee County Advisory Board. He has a 4.1 GPA.

Sandra Njama, $2,000 . She plans to major in neuroscience and psychology at Wesleyan College. She is a Page One Award runner-up. Her extracurricular activities include Academic Decathlon, Student Ambassador, DECA, Student 2 Student and student government and HOSA. Her community service includes school tour guide and tutoring elementary school students, She has a 3.72 GPA.

Alexia Hill, $1,000 . She plans to attend Georgia State University and become a nurse. Her achievements include Page One Award nominee and National Honor Society member. Her extracurricular activities include volleyball captain, cheerleading, Science National Honor Society and student government. Her community service includes a mini-sports camp and Downtown Elementary School’s pep rally. She has a 4.0 GPA.

Dray Duncan, $500 . He plans to major in sports medicine at Fort Valley State University. He was a member of Spencer’s 2022 GHSA Class AAAA state championship basketball team. His other extracurricular activities include National Honor Society, football, tennis and track. His volunteer service includes Community Warriors, T-ball, Outreach Ministry, elementary school mentor and Feed the Needy. He has a 3.4 GPA.

Elvin Ortiz, $500 . He plans to major in psychology at Columbus State University. His achievements include Page One Award nominee, National Honor Society member and Principal’s List. His extracurricular activities include JROTC, Student Ambassador, track and cross country. His community service includes Humane Society animal shelter and a food drive for the homeless. He has a 4.1 GPA.

The selection committee members are Kathy Chaplin, Angela Johnson, Cheryl Johnson, Gwen Johnson, Michelle Sanchez, Tasha Seldon and Stephanie Shaw.