This year's recipients of the Mike Smith Scholarship have been announced.
    The scholarship is awarded in memory of Leonard Michael Smith, a Russellville High School and University of Kentucky graduate who was an accountant and financial planner. The Mike Smith Scholarship Charitable Trust was created after his untimely death.
     The recipients and their college choices are Kamero Neblett (Louisville), Dean Johnson (Kentucky), Kendra Quarles (Sullivan), LeRon Collier (Georgetown). Sophia Dixon (Centre), and Chris Patel and Dylan White (both Murray State).
     The Mike Smith Scholarship is specifically for students pursuing studies in accounting or the arts. The scholarship targets, but is not exclusive to, minority students and non-traditional college students. Applicants must be planning to obtain a bachlor's degree or higher. This is a renewable scholarship.
     Mike Smith had a strong decication to his career and commitment to the community through volunteering in education, sports and civic related activities. He was an enthusiastic supporter of visual and performing arts. At his request the family created this scholarship for college students. Immediate family members are his wife, Samra Linton Smith, who teaches at Stevenson Elementary School, and their children, Ann Linton Smith and Browning Smith.
     Past recipients have been Kenton Cage and Justin Maskin (both Kentucky), Tommy Turner (Western Kentucky) and Jarrard Duncan (Murray).
     Two benefit events have been held to raise money for the scholarship with music provided by New Orleans piano legend Henry Butler, Americana artist GRAY with his band, and New Orleans funk masters Big Sam's Funky Nation.
    Donations to the scholarship are accepted at any time in honor of someone special or in memory of a loved one. Send them to 280 South Main Street, Russellville, KY 42276 or call 270-847-0244.