MOUNT VERNON — Withers Broadcasting is very proud of one of our own. Board operator Shawna Pugh, a Mt. Vernon Township High School Senior has been awarded a college scholarship, and the story behind how she came to the attention of the woman who created the scholarship is pretty interesting.

Shawna had been receiving a lot of recognition recently for her writing/poetry work, so our own Jake Linder invited her to his WMIX morning show to talk about her work and achievements.

As Shawna was on the air reading some of her poetry, Paralee “Grandma” Scrivner was listening to the show and was impressed with what she was hearing.

Now, Paralee created a scholarship in memory of her husband John Scrivner Sr. who died in 1994 at 49.

John Scrivner was a captain with the Mt. Vernon Fire Department, serving 26 years. He was also very active with other groups and organizations in town.

So after his death, she developed the John Scrivner Memorial Scholarship to honor his memory and commitment to the community.

More than 400 students have been awarded the scholarship since 1994. Shawna will use her scholarship to attend Rend Lake College in the fall.

You can read Shawna’s poem online at bluemarblereview.com/in-a-world-of-white-noise/