The program for the day was the Rotary Foundation of Knoxville Scholarship Awards Committee presentation of college scholarships to two area high school graduates. RCK Board Member Annette Winston presented the program on behalf of Committee Chair Jennifer Sepaniak. Annette recognized the good work of Jennifer and her Committee. Jennifer has chaired the Committee for five years. Annette recognized all of the members of the Scholarship Awards Committee and noted particular help from Allison Scott and Joe Stabb with computerizing and compiling the scholarship applications and applicant information.
Annette introduced two previous Rotary Foundation of Knoxville Scholarship Award recipients who were present at the meeting, Linnea Johnsen and Natalie Enciso. She gave an update on current activities of other recent Scholarship Award recipients who have completed or are successfully completing their education, Abby Ann Ramsey, Davyn Mengeling, Regan Wright and Esther McFall.
Annette noted that the Rotary Foundation of Knoxville Scholarship Awards program began as a student loan fund in 1929 and was converted to scholarships from student loans several years ago. The number of scholarships awarded has been increased by special RCK member endowments, including endowments from Sam Weaver and Townes Osborn.
Annette introduced Scholarship Award recipient Javen Carter, a graduate of Austin-East Magnet High School. Javen was valedictorian of his class and had a grade point average of 4.36. He played soccer and football. In addition to athletics and academics, he is active in the community and has worked at Walmart. Javen will attend Pellissippi State Community College for a year and then enroll at the University of Tennessee and intends to study aeronautical engineering. Javen was accompanied by the Principal at Austin-East and his mother. In his remarks, Javen noted that he has been taught that leadership, service and community matter. Javen will receive a $15,000 scholarship, $5,000 per year for his anticipated three years at the University of Tennessee.
Annette next introduced Shataya Crowley. Shataya is a graduate of Powell High School. She had a 4.4 grade point average. She participated in track and flag football. She is a member of the National Honor Society, she was active in several community organizations and projects, including Boys & Girls Club. And she, too, worked at Walmart. She was accompanied by her grandmother and two of her friends. She gave moving remarks about overcoming insecurity and developing into a confident young woman. She will attend Alabama A&M University to study aerospace engineering and creative writing. She hopes to further her education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University after Alabama A&M.
As is always the case, the scholarship recipients this year exemplify the reasons for the RCK Scholarship Awards program. They will represent us well.
Recipient Speeches
Shataya Crowley
Good afternoon.
Firstly, I would like to start by thanking every member of the Knoxville Rotary Foundation for blessing me with the means to pursue my dreams. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
[brief pause]
I also want to thank those here for me in the audience today: my grandmother Joy Hodge, and my friends Shaneil Crowther and Myles Crayton.
[brief pause]
A poem by Angela Shanté says:
“I am the dream that Martin left,
the spirit that made Harriet flee
through the trees that swing the gallows’ pleas,
I am the gumption that X had when he began to read,
and see,
and believe,
I am my ancestor’s wildest dreams.”
I say:
For the longest time, I felt dirty.
In the AP classes, at track meets, at National Honors Society meetings. Something in my mind told me my skin was stained, my hair too thick, my speech too fast. I stuttered on insecurities unsaid. I believed I was not fast enough, not beautiful enough, not smart enough, that I was a blotch on an otherwise perfect canvas.
I felt dirty every time one of my classmates asked why I didn’t have a car, why I didn’t come on the school-sponsored trip to Switzerland, why I was always in the counselors’ office during lunch searching for scholarships, why, why, why.
I had the answers. But, I was too ashamed to say them, so I hid behind faux confidence. The imposter syndrome forced me to work harder, until I graduated with a 4.4 GPA, six school records in track and field and flag football, and countless academic awards.
Now, the water runs clear.
I can say I am my grandmother’s daughter. I am her wildest dreams.
Looking over my shoulder, at the distant past, I see a journey wrapped in pain, sacrifice, and struggle as heavy feet marched toward an unsteady future. They marched so I could stand in front of you all today.
And honestly, let me tell you, if you had told me four years ago I would be here today, winning $20,000, I would have passed out on the spot.
[laugh]
I’m not ignorant to how I look with my green hair, piercings, and countless accessories. So if you’d told me I’d look like this while doing it—well, I certainly wouldn’t have believed you then either.
Behind my loud appearance is a story about a boy named Jaylen Izaiah Harris. He was light and creativity, in one person. I often think to myself, “Knoxville is a box with no way out.”
But Jaylen believed there was more outside of Knoxville, more than what we were handed. He found adventure in driving fast cars, jumping off of cliffs, and even in trips to China.
I thought: If he could be so bright, then I could be more than a stain. I could be the fruition of my ancestors’ and family’s sacrifices. I could fight my way out of the box– so I did.
I am proud to say the woman with green hair you’re looking at today plans to major in mechanical engineering and minor in creative writing at Alabama A&M University, where I have been accepted into its prestigious honors program out of 2,000+ applications and as a writer for the school newspaper. Although my focus is in engineering, I also plan to publish my novels, which are dedicated to my brother Jaylen Izaiah Harris, who was lost to suicide earlier this year. Upon graduation, I plan to pursue my master’s in aerospace engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with the intent to eventually work in/found a spacecraft manufacturing company.
I do this for those who came before me, those here now, and those I cannot yet see.
I am proof where you start is not where you end. My novels, volunteerism, and future mentorship with the Knoxville Area Urban League’s National Achievers Society will help other youth in Knoxville know that, too.
More than anything though, I wish to leave a lasting impact on everyone I meet. When people are asked about Iyah Crowley, or the girl with green hair, I want them to smile and say, “She made me feel heard.”
Thank you again for the Knoxville Rotary Foundation scholarship. This is the beginning of my story, and I can now write the rest.
Javen Carter
Good afternoon,
It’s truly an honor to stand before you as a recipient of the Rotary Club of Knoxville Scholarship. I want to sincerely thank the Rotary Club, its members, and everyone who helped make this opportunity possible.
This scholarship is more than financial support—it’s a reminder that leadership, service, and community truly matter. The Rotary motto, “Service Above Self,” resonates deeply with me, and I’m committed to living that out both in my education and in how I give back.
This fall, I’ll be attending Pellissippi State Community College for a year before transferring to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to study aerospace or mechanical engineering. This scholarship helps ease the financial burden and motivates me to keep striving—and to give back to others as you’ve given to me.
To my family, mentors, teachers, and peers—thank you. And to the Rotary Club of Knoxville—thank you for investing in students like me. Your support will have a lasting impact not only for myself but those to come.
Thank you.
