MACON – Mercer University senior Faith Alexis Parker recently received the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Betty J. Phillips Scholarship, awarded through the PAGE Foundation.
The $1,000 scholarship is presented to a rising junior, senior or graduate student who is a PAGE member enrolled in or committed to enrolling in an education program at a college or university in Macon.
Parker, who is pursuing her Bachelor of Music Education in the Townsend School of Music, has committed to teach in Georgia for three years in exchange for receiving the scholarship.
“Being a recipient of a PAGE Foundation Scholarship is important to me as it is a valued investment toward my education and it ensures that I will be successful in all my endeavors as I enter my final semester, preparing to be the best educator I can for the upcoming generations,” said Parker.
At Mercer, Parker has served as president and director of finance and administration for the Residence Hall Association, president of the Collegiate National Association for Music Educators Chapter No. 899 and a member of the University’s Iota Sigma chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
She has played the flute for 13 years and provides private and group lessons as well as serving as a clinician for wind and marching bands at middle and high school programs in Middle Georgia. Additionally, she has worked on campus for the School of Music as ensembles librarian and for the Office of Financial Planning.
Parker is currently student teaching at Feagan Mill Middle School in Warner Robins.
The scholarship was established in honor of educator Betty J. Phillips, who for many years taught in Bibb County and served on the Bibb County Board of Education. Phillips, now retired, resides in Macon. The scholarship was created in her honor by former student, attorney Brad Wilson, also a resident of Macon.
“We are delighted to administer this scholarship, established by a former student to honor a great teacher who obviously had a profound effect on her students,” said Craig Harper, executive director of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators. “Through this generous gift, aspiring teachers will have the opportunity to inspire the next generation of students.”
As a 501(c)(3) organization, the PAGE Foundation’s core business is fundraising in support of PAGE’s initiatives that provide professional learning, build leadership qualities, and enhance professional competence and confidence. The foundation also works to encourage and receive charitable support benefiting PAGE’s competitive academic programs such as PAGE Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR), PAGE Georgia Academic Decathlon (GAD) and the PAGE Academic Bowl for Middle Grades. Additionally, the foundation works closely with PAGE to provide scholarships for aspiring and veteran educators.
PAGE, the parent organization of the Foundation, is a statewide professional association of more than 97,000 teachers, administrators and support personnel members. PAGE provides professional learning for educators to enhance competence and confidence, build leadership, and increase student achievement while providing the best in membership, legislative, and legal services and support.
About the School of Music
The Townsend School of Music offers undergraduate and graduate professional music studies in a comprehensive university environment. Named for the parents of Carolyn Townsend McAfee, whose family provided the founding endowment, the School of Music is nationally recognized for its outstanding faculty, award-winning students, performance ensembles, and state-of-the-art facilities. For more information and a complete listing of performances, visit music.mercer.edu.
