Meredith Moseley and Patrick Skipper each claimed $1,500 scholarships at the fourth annual Achiever Award Banquet.

Hats off to Moseley and Skipper, but also to the other 29 nominees for this year's honor.

Both winners of the 2001 Achiever Awards will graduate from Fort Dale Academy this month, but students from Georgiana High School, Greenville Academy, Greenville High School and McKenzie High School were among the nominees.

The banquet was an evening where the Butler County education community came together, regardless of the mascot.

Former Auburn and NFL great Ron Stallworth addressed the nominees, their families and others among the packed house at the Greenville First Baptist Church.

Stallworth touched on his playing career, but spent most of his time talking about the values he learned while getting his education.

He urged the Achiever nominees to put education first, as honors like the Achiever Award, while important, don't pay the bills.

The theme "tomorrow's leaders today" was a fitting one, and Stallworth's talk added to that theme.

Congratulations Meredith and Patrick, and all of the 2001 Achiever Award nominees.