Congratulations to Blaine Smith of East Hall High School, and Erica Watson of Johnson High School, the Hall County teachers who have been named 2023 Davis Scholars and have been awarded a $500 scholarship towards the pursuit of an advanced degree.

The Hall County School District administers the C.W. Davis Scholarship, which is in honor of the distinguished life and career of C.W. Davis. Mr. Davis attended Vanderbilt University and the University of Georgia and was named principal of the original Flowery Branch High School in 1953. In 1960, he founded the Lanierland Basketball Tournament, which continues to this day. After serving as principal of South Hall High School, he became superintendent of Hall County Schools from 1977 – 1983. C.W. Davis Middle School was named in his honor in 1999. The C.W. Davis Scholarship has been established in his honor to assist current Hall County teachers as they pursue an advanced degree and life-long career in education.

Blaine Smith – East Hall High School

Blaine Smith teaches Social Studies and serves as the AP Coordinator at East Hall High School; he is pursuing a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction through the University of North Georgia. As the first in his family to earn a college degree, Blaine states:

As I progressed throughout my high school years, I quickly learned the importance of education. As I examined the world around me, I realized that education not only satisfies my inquisitive intellectual needs, but it serves as a pathway to a better future. I recognized that education is a powerful tool, and knowledge is equivalent to power. My willingness to become a life-long learner opened unique and desirable pathways for my high school and college experience, as well as the remainder of my life…

I am currently fulfilling my dream of educating young adults about history and better informing them about the world in which we live as a World History teacher at East Hall High School in Gainesville, GA. I also serve as our AP Program Coordinator, and an advanced degree in education will help better prepare me for the leadership decisions I need to make in that role as well.

Erica Watson – Johnson High School

Erica Watson teaches Visual Arts at Johnson High School, and she is pursuing a Masters of Arts in Art Education through Piedmont University. In her application, she wrote:

For myself and many others, being in an art studio is magical. It is a safe space for people to study, play, and explore. It is also a place that fosters a human-to-human connection, sharing creative ideas, using our hands, gathering together for discussions, critiques, and exhibitions. In my experience, I have found that the best kind of studio time is hands on, relevant, and fun. Experiencing this culture and then being able to recreate it for people younger is what has led me to pursue a career in art education and what pushes me to pursue a Master of Art in Art Education.

I want to get back in the studio as a student so that I can advance my skills and deepen my knowledge and passion of Art. I also want to make sure that I am up to date with contemporary teaching philosophies and strategies for instructing this generation and future generations of students.

C.W. DAVIS SCHOLARSHIP

FOR HALL COUNTY TEACHERS

The C.W. Davis Teacher Scholarship is in honor of the distinguished educational career of C. W. Davis. Mr. Davis attended Vanderbilt University and the University of Georgia and was named principal of the original Flowery Branch High School in 1953. In 1960, he founded the Lanierland Basketball Tournament, which continues to this day. After serving as principal of South Hall High School, he became superintendent of Hall County Schools from 1977 – 1983. C.W. Davis Middle School was named in his honor in 1999. The C.W. Davis Scholarship has been established in his honor to assist current Hall County teachers as they pursue an advanced degree and life-long career in education.

Hall County teachers who are named as Davis Scholars will receive a non-renewable award towards the pursuit of an advanced degree, payable to the college or university.

A selection committee, including a Davis family member and Hall County administrators, screens and evaluates applications for the C.W. Davis Scholarship.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be Hall County teachers who have completed between 3 – 7 years of teaching
• Teachers must plan to remain in an education-related field and must be accepted into or already be enrolled in an education graduate degree program at Brenau University, Georgia State University, Piedmont College, the University of Georgia, or the University of North Georgia