A Celebration of Women

is honored to announce the establishment and first recipient of:

 

 

The 2009 Recipient of the

‘Courtney Leigh Hewitt Scholarship’

given by

 

 

Pure Joy Ministries

 

Pure Joy Ministries…is a non-denominational Ministry founded by Billy and Tracy Varn from Orangeburg, South Carolina. Billy and Tracy have been married for 25 years and have four beautiful children, three sons and a daughter. This amazing family have and hold strong Christian beliefs! Pure Joy Ministries consists of area High School and College Students. “Our Mission is to reach others through Interpretive dance and drama”. Now in our 6th year we are blessed and have the opportunities to perform at various churches, nursing homes, benefits, parades and pretty much God leads them! Billy and Tracy have also established a Scholarship in memory of their niece, Courtney Leigh Hewitt. Each year a deserving high school senior is awarded this Scholarship. “Pure Joy_Courtney Leigh Hewitt Scholarship”. The Scholarship is given in May of each year, this being the third year presentation and award and we are looking forward to it with pure joy and excitement! The recipient must emulate Christ in every aspect of their lives and someone who enjoys life to the fullest! It is Billy and Tracy’s dedication to Christ, love for life and their many blessings through Pure Joy Ministries to honor their niece Courtney Leigh Hewitt a true Woman of Action with a voice continuing to be heard even after her death, around the World!

In Christ, Billy & Tracy Varn_

Women and Men of Action,

through our Ministry “Pure Joy” Ministries

 Orangeburg, S.C.

120 Charity Lane

Orangeburg, S.C. 29115

 

 

Marissa is the 17 year old daughter of Lynwood & Yvonne Southerland of Orangeburg, South Carolina. She is the youngest of four children. A’Launa has always been active in school and her community. She is in the school choir and Girl Scouts of America since first grade! She attends Orangeburg_Wilkinson High School and is enrolled in the IB (International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, a member of the National Honor Society, Les Charmes Club, Key Club and now a proud member of,” Team Courtney_A Celebration of Women.

 

Her Community involvement includes working at the Regional Medical Center as a volunteer for the past 3 years, Her time is split and equally devoted to the Hospital Nursery and Cornerstone Community Church and a member of the Orangeburg Civic Ballet for 10 years. In her leisure time she also participates in beauty pageants and holds many coveted titles!

 

Since my involvement with Pure Joy Ministries at it’s inception, I was thrilled and honored to be the first recipient of the Courtney Leigh Hewitt Scholarship. Although I never had the pleasure to meet Miss Courtney, I know from what I feel in my heart that she was a warm, kind, caring, compassionate and loving person who was dedicated to her family, children and education! Her love and spirit lives among all those who cared for and knew her. Her life has touched more people than she could have ever dreamed.

 

Each day that passes somewhere, someone, reads or hears her name through the work of her loving father, Catherine Anne Clark, Wendy Ladd and countless others!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Thank you Courtney Leigh Hewitt for blessing my life with this Scholarship and in your honor and for your legacy,

 

I humbly accept it from,

” Pure Joy Ministries!”

 

 

Marissa A. Southerland

Orangeburg, S.C.

 

 

RELATED TOPIC LINKS:   http://www.purejoyinternational.com/

 

A Celebration of Women

 

Marissa  Southerland: Premiere (1st) Winner 2009!