The Eastern Shore Optimist Club recently announced the 2023 Dogwood Trail Program scholarship recipients. These scholarships are awarded to Eastern Shore high school seniors who have participated in The Dogwood Trail Pageant and Scholarship Program or served on the Dogwood Trail Court.

Each court member receives a $1,250 cash scholarship to the college of her choice. Additionally, $500 cash scholarships are awarded to pageant participant winners of the pageant's fundraising, essay, interview, creative introduction and poise and presence and composure categories.

The Dogwood Trail Court members receiving scholarships this year included the following.

2021 Court Members
— Ava Cocke: St. Michael Catholic High School

2022 Court Members
— Tommie-Lynn Smith: Daphne High School
— Renie Kennedy: Fairhope High School

The 2021 Fundraising Scholarship, sponsored by The Dogwood Trail Program, was awarded to Marguerite Cowles from St. Michael Catholic High School.

The 2021 Presence and Composure Scholarship, sponsored by Bay Business News, was awarded to Ava Cocke from St. Michael Catholic High School.

The 2022 Crystal Kae Davis Spirit of Dogwood Scholarship, sponsored by Citizen's Bank, went to Renie Kennedy from Fairhope High School.

The 2022 Interview Scholarship, sponsored by Daphne Pediatric Dentistry, went to Renie Kennedy from Fairhope High School.

A total of $5,750 was awarded in this year's program.

"The Eastern Shore Optimist Club is incredibly pleased to be able to provide scholarships to participants of the Dogwood Trail Scholarship Program, and we congratulate this year's scholarship recipients," Director JoAnn Broadus said.