Scholarships Given to Outstanding Students by Advance Financial

Front row l-r; Natalie Cook, Glyndon Wicks and Keteara Motley; Back row l-r; Hope Lovvorn, Haley Owens, Ethan Harvill, Sydnee McRae and Mary Beth Nehls (Not pictured: Joseph Crosland and Raelynn Gonzales). As part of its mission to advance education, Nashville-based financial services company Advance Financial gave $1,000 scholarship awards to 10 outstanding Middle Tennessee high school students at its 3rd Annual Scholarship Banquet. Student applications were judged on GPA, community involvement and persevering over hardships in their lives. As guest speaker during this year’s event, Randy Coffman, Riverdale Warriors coach, focused on the three things the students need to succeed in life – passion, a strong work ethic and commitment. Coffman recently became the first Tennessee coach to be named the Naismith High School Girls Coach of the Year. “When you win you earn and when you lose you learn. Hardships don’t have to define you, they should refine you,” said Coffman. “I congratulate each and every one of you for all the great work you’ve done as graduating seniors. I’m immensely proud of your dedication and desire to become better.” Through the Advance Financial Foundation, the company’s educational initiatives are focused on improving the quality of education for preschool, grade school and high school students. Since the Foundation’s scholarship program began in 2015, the company has awarded $22,000 to high school graduates. The Foundation has also given more than $8,900 to The Patriot Foundation, an organization that provides scholarships to the children of wounded or fallen soldiers. “Our entire company is dedicated to rewarding educational efforts each year and providing students with the financial support they need to pursue their dreams for the future,” said Shantrelle Johnson, executive director of the Advance Financial Foundation and VP of corporate citizenship for Advance Financial. “I personally feel empowered by the efforts and talents of our 2017 graduating seniors. It is truly an honor to reward them for their hard work and to watch them grow.” Advance Financial, founded in 1996, is a family owned and operated financial center based in Nashville, Tenn. The company currently operates more than 70 locations throughout Tennessee and employs more than 700 local representatives. The company provides wide variety of financial services – including wire transfer, bill payment, unlimited free money orders and FLEX loans. Advance Financial was named to the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the country for the fifth year in a row. For more information visit www.af247.com The 2017 scholarship recipients are: • Natalie Cook, Marshall County High School (Lewisburg, TN) • Joseph Crosland, White County High School (Lewisburg, TN) • Raelynn Gonzales, LEAD High School (Nashville, TN) • Ethan Harvill, Clarkrange High School (Clarkrange, TN) • Hope A. Lovvorn, Forrest High School (Chapel Hill, TN) • Sydnee McRae, Marshall County High School (Lewisburg, TN) • Keteara Motley, East Nashville Magnet School (Nashville, TN) • Mary Beth Nehls, Christian Academy of Knoxville (Knoxville, TN) • Haley Owens, Cornersville High School (Cornersville, TN) • Glyndon Wicks, Marshall County High School (Lewisburg, TN) Original Source: The Tennessee Tribune