The Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families will be presenting the F. William Hughey award and John K. Morgan scholarship for the first time ever at their first awards banquet in February. But the Coalition is asking for nominations of worthy individuals now.

The John K. Morgan scholarship is named after the donor that enabled it.

"It was a donation that was given by John Morgan to the Coalition last December and we decided to make it scholarship," said Michael Hutcheson, executive director of the Coalition. "John found out what we’re doing with it and added significant chunk to it."

The scholarship will go to a Rockdale resident who has been active in the community and demonstrates a desire to continue their secondary education. The winner must be eligible for post secondary enrollment in degree or certificate program at an accredited institution. If selected for the scholarship, the winner will commit to providing a quarterly report of community service hours that describes the service, serving a minimum of five hours a month to maintain scholarship, be at least a part-time student in good standing at the post-secondary institution, and be eligible for renewal of the scholarship. The scholarship may be renewed for up to three years. For full details on application requirements, call Michael Hutcheson (770) 761-9244. Applications for this award must be postmarked no later than Jan. 21.

For the F. William Hughey award, named after former Coalition head Bill Hughey, the requirements are that the individual is involved in community service and demonstrates a collaborative spirit, like Hughey. A donation will be made to the organization of the winner’s choice. Applications for this award must be postmarked no later than Dec. 31.

"We wanted to honor him with this award but also to recognize individuals involved with community service but also in collaborative community service," said Hutcheson.

To nominate an individual for either award, download the application from www.rockdalecoalition.org and send a completed nomination form to Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families, P.O. Box 658, Conyers, GA 30012 or fax to (770) 761-9266 or email to rockdalefamilies@bellsouth.net. For more information, call Michael Hutcheson at (770) 761-9244.

The awards banquet will be held on Feb. 26, 2011, at 6 p.m. at the Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Dr.