The first winner of the Ceddrick Mack Memorial Scholarship is Greenville High School’s salutatorian Dimple Patel.

The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a Greenville High School student who will be attending Auburn University full time in the fall, and who best exemplifies the characteristics that Mack portrayed in his commitment to school and community.

&uot;Dimple is an excellent student who embodies the same characteristics that made Ceddrick such an exceptional student,&uot; said Mack scholarship board chairman Todd Henderson. &uot;I know she will continue to make Greenville High School proud as she begins her studies at Auburn this fall.&uot;

&uot;Dimple is a dedicated, fervent and highly motivated young lady who is an excellent candidate for the Ceddrick Mack Scholarship,&uot; wrote math teacher Linda Jarzyniecki, one of Patel’s instructors at GHS. &uot;She is an outstanding student, a trait that is demonstrated by her ability to achieve the status of salutatorian of her graduating class. She exhibits pride in her school, community and family.

Patel has an impressive list of accomplishments that qualified her for the scholarship. She was senior class vice president, assistant editor of the yearbook, president of the National Honor Society, vice president of the Beta Club, vice president of the Spanish National Honor Society, reporter for Mu Alpha Theta, a Camellia Girl representative for the city of Greenville, Tiger Representative, GHS varsity cheerleader, GHS golf team member, hostess for former Gov. Don Siegelman and a National Leadership Forum participant.

Patel has lived in Greenville for 13 years, and counts swimming, basketball, football, baseball, volleyball, cheerleading and making new friends as her favorite pastimes.

The scholarship application included a requirement to write an essay describing her accomplishments and activities while attending high school.

In an excerpt from Patel’s essay, the college-bound student outlines her attitude about life: &uot;Being a good leader requires persistence, integrity and patience. My time at Greenville High School has embedded these characteristics in me. I plan to surpass all of my other achievements at Auburn University. My actions today reflect my future tomorrow. I will always strive to be the best person I can be, no matter if it is at Greenville High School or Auburn University. I am looking forward to the many challenges and opportunities that my college career will bring. In the words of Michelangelo, ‘Lord, may I always want more than I can achieve.’&uot;

Patel’s plans include studying for a pharmacy degree while at Auburn.

Henderson said that Patel is being notified of her award this week and is pleased with the first scholarship’s success.

&uot;I appreciate the support of the community as we have worked securing funds for this worthy cause,&uot; he said. &uot;Because of the generous donations thus far, we were able to award a $1,000 scholarship and still have enough money in the fund to continue at our current level of giving for the next six years. I encourage everyone who thought highly of Ced and has not already made a donation to consider doing so. For those who have already given, I ask that they consider making an annual pledge. If the community will support this scholarship as Ceddrick supported this community, then the scholarship will continue for many years.&uot;

For information on the Mack Scholarship, contact Henderson or a GHS guidance counselor at 382-2608.