LAWRENCE COUNTY — The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence County (BGCLC) has announced a significant new investment in local students with the establishment of the Dan L. Parker Scholarship.
Created to honor the legacy of the late Dan L. Parker, a Bedford native, the scholarship aims to support the academic and professional dreams of the community’s most promising young leaders.
The scholarship will be integrated into the BGCLC’s Youth of the Year competition, the club’s highest honor for leadership, character, and service. The new funding structure provides substantial financial support for multiple participants including a $3,000 scholarship. The first runners-up will each receive $500 scholarships.
The scholarship is a gift from Elosie Parker, who established the fund in memory of her husband. Dan L. Parker was a 1951 graduate of Bedford High School and maintained deep roots in the community throughout his life.
The family’s involvement in the program is already in motion; Dan and Elosie’s daughter, Rachel Ferrazzi, served as a judge in this year’s Youth of the Year competition, witnessing firsthand the impact of the program her father’s legacy will now support.
The Youth of the Year program focuses on club members who excel in the classroom while giving back to their neighborhoods. According to Club officials, this financial boost is a game-changer for local teens.
Ashley Gilstrap, Director of Resource Development at the BGCLC.
“Youth of the Year is about more than a title; it’s about celebrating young people who are showing up, making a difference, and leading with heart,” said Ashley Gilstrap, Director of Resource Development at the BGCLC. “Because of the Parker family’s generosity, our local youth are not only recognized for who they are today, but empowered to become who they are meant to be tomorrow.”
About the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence County
The BGCLC continues to provide a safe and productive environment for local youth to grow. For more information regarding the Youth of the Year program or to learn how to support scholarship opportunities, residents are encouraged to contact the Club directly.
