Judges have interviewed the 28 Achiever Award nominees and event organizers are busily preparing for the 12th annual banquet to be held on Thursday, May 7 at the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church.

Judges conducted interviews with the nominees and their parents last Wednesday, said YMCA Director Amanda Phillips. The Greenville YMCA and Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce are joint sponsors for the event.

“They (the judges) really, really enjoyed this group of kids,” said Phillips. “They really had a hard time making their decision.”

Phillips said from the initial 28 nominees, judges narrowed the field down to three boys and three girls, and then selected the winners. An Achiever Award scholarship will be awarded to one girl scholar-athlete and one boy scholar-athlete on May 7. 10 students are represented from Fort Dale Academy, nine students from Greenville High School, five from McKenzie High School, and four from Georgiana High School.

Phillips said donations from sponsors were going well this year, with $4,100 booked so far.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised, especially considering the way the economy is,” said Phillips.

Sponsorships are available at the platinum, gold, silver, bronze and friends level.

Former Auburn quarterback Charlie Trotman is the guest speaker for this year’s banquet.

This event is open to the public. Tickets are available at the Greenville YMCA for $15 each. Included in the ticket price is a seated dinner.