Horner thanks a grateful community

GHS graduate heads to London, England, as part of her education from New York University

Elizabeth accepts her Bistro Off Broadway Scholarship check from Delbert Blickenstaff, Senior Scribes Scholarship Committee. Also pictured, left to right, family friend Delia Harmon, Mom Ruby Horner and Al Greiner, Senior Scribes Scholarship Committee. Ted Abney, owner of Bistro Off Broadway, was unable to attend the presentation.

Elizabeth Horner has been gracing the Greenville and Darke County communities with her writing, teaching and speaking activities since she was in the second grade. Just a few of her accomplishments have included columns and press releases, Read to Succeed and coach for Greenville Junior High’s Power of the Pen contestants.

Over the past month she has reaped the rewards of her efforts. She graduated from Greenville High School as its Salutatorian with a 5.11 GPA, has been offered and accepted a full scholarship at New York University in Creative Writing, will spend her freshman year in London, England and has received financial help for unpaid college expenses from a grateful community.

The most recent award came from Bistro Off Broadway’s Scholarship for Academic Excellence and Community Service, presented to her through the Senior Scribes Scholarship Fund.

Ted Abney, owner of Bistro Off Broadway, was unable to be at the presentation, but said Elizabeth is a “shining example” of the talent and dedication of the youth of our community.

“I’m pleased to be able to help her pursue her college dream,” he said.

At Elizabeth’s graduation, which occurred at Montage immediately following graduation ceremonies at the high school, she received two additional rewards, one of them from anonymous donors who have followed her accomplishments over the past decade.

Always grateful for the support she has been provided, Elizabeth sent the following thanks to Mr. Abney and the community:

“Thank you Mr. Ted Abney of The Bistro Off Broadway, and The Senior Scribes, for the honor and your scholarship. College is something I have looked forward to since fifth grade. Although I know that it will come with its unique challenges, I promise to do my very best and apply what I’ve learned to be a positive member of my community, not just of this community, but the places and cyber spaces that destiny has in store for me.

“I will be departing for London at the end of August to join the New York University Global Center, Core Liberal Arts Program. I will return to the United States after one year and spend the rest of my academic and internship program in New York City. I hope to have the opportunity to try my hands as a student trainee in major publishing companies in the city. A special thanks to Uncle Bob for his support and encouragement over the years. This community has been very good to me. Thank you all.

“I want to take this opportunity too to thank those who attended my graduation and party that followed right after the event. A special thanks to those anonymous people who gave me the cash gift on my graduation day. I will never forget your generosity.”

Bob Robinson (Uncle Bob), Senior Scribes Scholarship Fund Committee member, said Elizabeth has given much to the community. The community, in return, is thanking her.

“Elizabeth has been a shining light to all those who discovered her early in her life and followed her throughout the last decade,” said Robinson. “As is true to her personality, she is thanking the community for its generosity as a grateful community thanks her for the shining example she has presented of today’s youth.”

One final note from Elizabeth…

It feels like most of my life

Has been building up to graduation

And with the ceremony now passed

The air is filled with celebration
But I know I owe my current joy

To the people who’ve seen me through

My years of learning, climbing, growing

Leading up to this debut
My journeys wend away from here

But as my dreams materialize

Your presence at my commencement

Was an honor and a prize
~Elizabeth Horner