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Morgan scholarship award finalists named
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Three outstanding students invested in community service in Rockdale County were named as finalists for the Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families' 2014 John K. Morgan Scholarship.

Finalists for the 2014 John K. Morgan Scholarship include: Declan Keating Broyles (TNT Academy), Sophia Moll (Heritage High School) and Donovan Norfleet (Heritage High School).

"We were once again overwhelmed by the talent and commitment these students have shown throughout their careers by giving so much of their time and talents to help others in need," said Director of Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families Michael Hutcheson.

Highlights demonstrated by the three finalists include:

• Declan Keating-Broyles started volunteering at the age of four with his family delivering Meals on Wheels for the Olivia Haydel Senior Center. He is an Eagle Scout and volunteers his time on a variety of facility and grounds improvement projects at Elks Aidmore Children's Center and teaches in the martial arts ministry at First Baptist Church of McDonough.

• Sophia Moll is the lead female cantor and Core Team leader at St. Pius X Catholic Church. She is a volunteer with Rockdale Force, a flag football program for students with special needs and assisted with planning the prom for special needs students at Heritage High School.

• Donovan Norfleet is volunteer head coach with Rockdale Force, a volunteer with the Upward Sports Christian basketball league and active in youth mission work with Heritage Hills Baptist Church.

The scholarship winner will be announced at the Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families Annual Awards Reception at the Rockdale Career Academy at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 8. The event is open to the public and tickets are available at the Rockdale Coalition office for $15. The event includes food catered by students in the Rockdale Career Academy culinary arts program, entertainment by the Memorial Middle School Jazz Band, a silent auction and recognition of the scholarship finalists.

The 2014 recipient of the F. William Hughey Community Service Award will be presented to the Rev. Aldren Sadler. The award is presented annually to a person who has demonstrated outstanding community service in Rockdale County. Sadler is the founder and senior pastor of the Church of New Beginnings in Conyers and retired from working for 35 years in the information technology field. A native of Rockdale County, Sadler has served on innumerable volunteer committees and is an active participant in the community. A $500 cash donation will also be given to the local community service organization of the recipient's choice.

This is the fourth year the Rockdale Coalition has offered the $4,000 scholarship for a student who has demonstrated outstanding community service in Rockdale County and plans to continue that level of commitment while pursuing post-secondary education. The scholarship is named for John K. Morgan, former president and chief executive officer of Acuity Brands Lighting and community advocate. Since the inception of the John K. Morgan Scholarship, more than $18,000 has been awarded to students in Conyers and Rockdale County.

For more information or tickets to the Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families Annual Awards Reception, call 770-761-9244 or email Michael Hutcheson at michael.hutcheson@rockdalecoalition.org.