The O’Neal School recently welcomed students, families, faculty, and supporters to campus for its annual scholarship celebration, an evening dedicated to honoring students whose accomplishments reflect academic excellence, leadership, resilience, and compassion.
The program opened with remarks from Interim Head of School Steve Lisk, who offered sincere thanks to the school’s scholarship benefactors — Stan and Jean Bradshaw, Jean Ray Hinson, and Helen Holmberg Herbert — recognizing their enduring generosity and commitment to expanding educational opportunity at O’Neal.
“Lisk emphasized the lasting importance of O’Neal’s scholarship programs, noting that applicants grow stronger each year academically, extracurricular, and in character,” said the school in a news release. “He also highlighted the culture that develops among scholarship recipients — one marked by mutual respect, support, and leadership rooted in both intellect and heart.”
The evening continued with the recognition of this year’s scholarship recipients across three distinct programs, each reflecting O’Neal’s mission to educate the whole child.
The Hannah Marie Bradshaw Scholarship, given in memory of Hannah Bradshaw — who spent half of her life as an O’Neal student and loved the school as a place that helped her reach her true potential — is awarded to deserving students who are not currently enrolled at O’Neal and demonstrate financial need. The $6,000 annual award supplements financial aid and is renewable throughout upper school with a maintained grade point average of 3.5.
This year’s Bradshaw Scholars are:
Thomas “Tre” Grabos, who will join O’Neal from Stars. Tre enjoys baseball, basketball, cooking, and chess and aspires to a future in the culinary arts.
Gavin McRae, a graduate of West Pine Middle School, who plays competitive basketball and has interests in computers, graphic design, and travel, is known for being dependable and community-minded.
Phoebe Rollinson, who will move from California to join the O’Neal community in August. Phoebe is a competitive equestrian, avid reader, and artist with interests in drawing and photography.
The Helen Pringle Holmberg Scholarship, awarded in honor of Helen Holmberg Herbert, an O’Neal graduate and the school’s first John Motley Morehead Scholarship recipient, recognizes students who exemplify leadership, scholarship, moral force of character, and physical vigor. The scholarship covers 75% of tuition and is renewable throughout upper school provided the student maintains a 3.5 grade point average. Recipients are current O’Neal students who meet academic criteria and are nominated by faculty.
This year’s Holmberg Scholar is Abigail Schupp, an eighth‑grade student at O’Neal recognized for her inquisitive nature, discipline, humility, and quiet yet confident leadership. Faculty praised her strong work ethic, positive influence, and ability to balance a demanding schedule with grace.
In addition, the school recognized a group of Rising Falcon Scholars, recipients of a four‑year partial upper school scholarship. These scholarships are awarded to current O’Neal eighth-grade students who actively contribute to making the school community stronger and more vibrant, exemplifying integrity, leadership, resilience, and compassion.
This year’s Rising Falcon Scholars are Kennedy-Grace Aytes, Lucy Emond, Isabella Grotzke, Haddie Habets, Abigail Holroyd, Muirenn Matthews, Elliot Means, and Lainey Murphy.
Applications for these scholarships are accepted at the beginning of each calendar year. Visit The O’Neal School website for more information.
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