Owens named 2020 JRF scholar

Fairhope native, St. Michael Catholic grad will continue studies at Troy

Gulf Coast Media Sports
Posted 6/17/20

ABBEVILLE, Ala. – Parker Owens of Fairhope will have help pursuing his dreams as a student at Troy University, thanks to his selection as a Jimmy Rane Foundation scholar. Owens is among 40 …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get the gift of local news. All subscriptions 50% off for a limited time!

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

Owens named 2020 JRF scholar

Fairhope native, St. Michael Catholic grad will continue studies at Troy

Posted

ABBEVILLE, Ala. – Parker Owens of Fairhope will have help pursuing his dreams as a student at Troy University, thanks to his selection as a Jimmy Rane Foundation scholar. Owens is among 40 students being awarded scholarships from the Foundation this year. He will be entering his sophomore year at Troy this fall and is majoring in Sports Management.

“I was beyond excited to hear that I had been selected for this award,” Owens said. “Getting money to go towards college funds and make a dent in the costs is so important. I will have to take out much less in loans which will significantly decrease my college debt.  I am thankful for this opportunity from the Jimmy Rane Foundation for giving me the opportunity to attend the school I have been pursuing my entire life.”

A 2019 graduate of St. Michael Catholic High School, Owens’ extracurricular activities included serving as treasurer of Project Outreach, officer of the Student Council and president of the Pro Life Club. He also earned a letter in varsity baseball, received the Baseball “Cardinal” Award and was named Project Outreach Newcomer of the Year.

Owens also offered advice for other students completing scholarship applications.

“Look at each task individually and start early so that you can pace yourself. Leaving everything until the last minute will show average work and cause much stress,” he said.

“And, I would also like to say, ‘thank you’ to my parents (Brooke and Stephen) for always encouraging me to make an extra strive towards achieving the things I want in my life.”

The Jimmy Rane Foundation is dedicated to providing college scholarships for deserving students and strengthening communities through education projects and grants.

The Foundation has awarded 462 college scholarships since it was established in 2000. These scholarships are for eight semesters, not just for one year, which makes them even more critical to the success of recipients. Foundation scholars are attending universities all over the nation, and many have now graduated and become engineers, teachers, nurses, accountants, and several students are currently in medical school and law school. This year’s round of awards includes students from 12 states and represents the largest class of scholarship recipients since the foundation was established.

Jimmy Rane, founder of Abbeville-based Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated, traditionally hosts an annual golf tournament as the single fund-raising event for the Foundation drawing both corporate and individual sponsors. In keeping with COVID-19 large-event cancellations, the Foundation was unable to host its annual Jimmy Rane Charity Golf Tournament and awards banquet where recipients are usually recognized. However, the generous support of sponsors made it possible for the Foundation, now in its 20th year, to award the highest number of scholarships to date. 

For more information, visit JimmyRaneFoundation.org (SEE RELATED LINK BELOW) or find the Jimmy Rane Foundation on Facebook.