Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Jamie Pickens, a senior at Fort Dale Academy, and Ja’Korey Shepherd, senior at Greenville High School, were recently awarded the 2021 Achiever Award.  A banquet was held at Southside Baptist Church on May 6 to present the awards and recognize individuals and businesses that make these awards possible. The recipients each received a $3,500 scholarship.

The Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greenville YMCA sponsor the event annually. The event recognizes top student-athletes from local schools who achieve and exceed goals on the field and in the classroom.

Tracy Salter, Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce director, said the banquet and awards are all made possible by generous financial and volunteer support. The local businesses are what make scholarships like these possible.

Pickens is the daughter of Leander and Kathy Pickens of Greenville. She has participated in basketball, track, tennis, and served as the football team’s water girl. Pickens was named in the Girls Girls Basketball All-Star Team this year. She has also filled leadership roles as captain in tennis and basketball. Pickens is an Honor graduate for her class and a member of the Student Government Association, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Fellowship of Active Christian Teachers and Students, Key Club, Experiencing Community by Helping Others, and Eagle Representatives. She has also attended the Huntington College Economic and Community Development Scholar’s Program, Pioneer Montgomery and Washington Youth Tour, Capstone Leadership Camp, Lion’s Club Youth Camp. Pickens also has the honor of being a Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce Camellia Girl. She assists with the Fourth of the July Celebrate America event, Chamber Fall Supper, Camellia CityFest, Downtown Trick-or-Treat, the Christmas Parade, and the annual Chamber Banquet. Pickens volunteered to help with cleanup projects after hurricanes, assist with basketball camps, Operation Christmas Child, Jingle for Jesus 5K, prayer walks, and Message on the Mound. Pickens is a member of Southside Baptist Church and is active in the youth committee, youth group, Shepherd’s Table, Vacation Bible School, Discipleship Now, and Mission FUGE.

Ja’Korey Shepherd is the son of Jeff and Tammie Shepherd. He has participated in football, track, and basketball at Greenville High School. Shepherd is the football team captain and has received the highest G.P.A. award for football for four consecutive years. He is an A/B honor roll student and is an honor graduate for his class. Shepherd is a member of Tiger T.V., Key Club, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Spanish Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Jobs for America’s Graduates, Future Business Leaders of America, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has worked the concession stand for the Greenville Parks and Recreation Department, helped assist the Tiger Stadium Renovation Project, and helped with the Greenville High School batting cages building. Shepherd is a member of Perfecting Holiness Nondenominational Church, where he is active in Sunday school, youth Bible study, youth ministry, S.O.S. Mentoring Program, media ministry, and serves as a youth usher.

Twenty-three Butler County student-athletes competed for having the honor of being a 2021 Achiever Award winner. Nominees for the 2021 Achiever award included:

Fort Dale Academy: Brody Cartwright, Jess Causey, Charleson Coker, Virginia Coker, Shelby Lawrence, Parker McNaughton, Jamie Pickens, Nate Richardson, and Megan Wright.

Georgiana School: Michaiah Austin, Nacardyen Ball, and Charnetta Jones.

Greenville High School: Emily Davis, Simon Edwards, Ruth Anne Nimmer, Dawson Sarblah, Ja’Korey Shepherd, and Samuel Sherling.

McKenzie School: Catherine Grace Johnson, William Michael Johnson, Abby Little, Dale Lucas, and Sara Watford