Chamber golf tournament provides scholarships and business camp for local students By Chris Barber Correspondent
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hree local high-school graduates got a leg up on paying college expenses thanks to the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce golf tournament. The 24th annual event was held at Hartefeld National Golf Course on Aug. 5, and continues to be the largest fundraiser the chamber holds each year. The recipients of $1,000 scholarships were one graduate from Avon Grove, Kennett and Unionville high schools, the three school districts served by the chamber. Oxford High School, the fourth in the local chamber’s area, is served by the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce. The three students, two of whom greeted their hosts at the banquet following the tournament, were Richard Childs of Unionville, Jorge Tapia Becerril from Kennett and Zachary Bruecks from Avon Grove. Childs, who came to the banquet with his mother, Heather, and his father, Scott, is planning to attend Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. He said he
Guests at the tournament event line up for the buffet. ——For
found out he earned the award earlier when he was notified by school officials. “I was told I was recommended by the administration of the school. It was quite an honor. It was a big surprise,” he said. Childs said while at Unionville he was involved in service projects and started a lot of clubs. In his future he hopes to be involved in film, perhaps directing and producing. Bercerril, who attended the banquet with his mother, Susanna, his grandmother and his young sisters, said he was informed of his scholarship at Kennett’s senior awards assembly. He has attended Kennett schools throughout his academic career. This fall, he will attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania and major in political science. After that, he hopes to go to law school, with the aim of working for the U.S. Department of Justice. “I want to help anyone who needs help,” he said. Bruecks, from Avon Grove, was unable to attend the dinner and could not be reached for comment. In addition to the three $1,000 scholarship winners, the chamber financed $625-each camp tuitions for three Continued on Page 14
Items are lined up for bids at the silent auction during the opening brunch.
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