Georgia Ann Benard Hall Award of Excellence
Scholarship Sponsored by Mississippi Nurses Foundation
Georgia Ann Benard Hall represented excellence in all aspects of her life. Born to a family of 27 children, she grew up in abject poverty – but never compromised her integrity and her own search for excellence at any point along the way. She married, raised three children and always worked hard to assure they had whatever they needed. She took great pride in the fact that she never accessed the public welfare system to meet her children’s needs – but worked for everything she received. She was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. Georgia was focused, good-humored, honest, hard-working, and faithful to her God. She never once complained over her lot in life – rather, she celebrated the fact that she was alive, married to a fine man, employed and loved by all who knew her. Her heart was golden.
Dr. Peggy O. Hewlett has established the Georgia Ann Benard Hall Award for Excellence through the Mississippi Nurses Foundation in honor and memory of this dear friend. Family, friends and colleagues have generously contributed to this fund which will award a $2,000 scholarship every year to a Mississippi nursing student in conjunction with their school of nursing.
“Georgia Hall was my close personal friend for over 18 years and she died too young at the age of 50. She has my undying love and respect for a life well-lived – a true role model for all young men and women who have made achievements they attribute to someone in their lives who represents excellence in spite of life’s circumstances.” - Dr. Peggy O. Hewlett.
2024 Recipient - Michelle Thames, William Carey University
Criteria:
- Currently enrolled and in good academic standing in a Mississippi university BSN program at the junior or senior level;
- African American student;
- Member of the Mississippi Students Nurses Association;
- Application and essay submitted by the deadline date
Essay Requirements:
- Addresses the topic: “My Role Model of Excellence”;
- Demonstrates how one person impacted your life and decision to become a nurse; • Previously unpublished essay;
- Limited to 3 pages – typed and double-spaced on letter-sized paper; • Signature authorizing permission to publish the essay.
Essays will be judged through a blind review by Dr. Peggy O. Hewlett and her daughters.
Application:
Complete Application Must Include:
- Student information form
- Essay
- Letter from school verifying the student is enrolled and in good academic standing.
Award Process:
- This $2000 scholarship is given in honor of Georgia Ann Benard Hall to a Mississippi nursing student every year.