Exciting news! SAGE has selected TWO recipients for the Senior Scholarship Award.
Congratulations go to Lilli Cunningham (GHS) and Nicole Namy (CHHS)! Each student receives a $1000 scholarship toward their chosen college education.
Gifted Senior Scholar: Lilli Cunningham
Lilli will attend Vanderbilt University in the fall.
What is one significant contribution you have made to an individual or to the community around you (organization, school, city, etc.), and how did that impact you?
"... a leadership board for a school in South Dallas that provides a second chance at a high school diploma to students facing homelessness, violence, and addiction. As I learned more about the school’s mission, I was drawn towards helping them expand from one small classroom into an unoccupied, historically significant elementary school. The new location was dilapidated and bare, with a large, blank fence facing the center of the neighborhood. I saw an opportunity to send a positive message to the neighborhood about the new high school and inspire its students, so a friend and I applied for a grant to paint a mural on the fence. We were awarded $700. After collaborating with the school’s Executive Director and numerous students and staff, we created a mural depicting a group of diverse students conversing amongst lush garden florals and buzzing insects. We incorporated the favorite plants of the inaugural class of students and staff and wrote “Hope Grows Here” over the image. After 15 hours, a piece of plywood became a flourishing scene rooted in a message of inspiration.
Our mural planted a seed for more art throughout the school as students and staff painted murals on the plywood on the boarded-up windows of the building.
Our mural planted a seed for more art throughout the school as students and staff painted murals on the plywood on the boarded-up windows of the building. When the windows are replaced, the murals will be removed but they are intentionally positioned on windows facing the main street to let neighbors know that something meaningful is in the works. This was really meaningful because it showed me that if I work hard and put my talents to use, I have the ability to inspire change in an organization.
Short response excerpt by Lilli Cunningham, 2025
About the SAGE GT Senior Scholarship Awards
We had more than double last year's applicants, and judges found all the students' stories and accomplishments inspiring. Using a pre-approved rubric, SAGE Lifetime members are invited to review each applicant individually.
For more details about the updated application process, see this post from March 2025.
