Going the extra mile

  • Steven Aft (far left) handed out the annual Extra Mile awards on June 17 at his State Farm Insurance office in Murphy. The Class of 2020 winners include (from left) Ayana Yan of Robbinsville, Isabella Rogers of Hayesville, Journie Newton of Murphy and Victoria Diaz of Andrews. Gracie Ledford of Hiwassee Dam arrived as the event was concluding. Photo by David Brown
    Steven Aft (far left) handed out the annual Extra Mile awards on June 17 at his State Farm Insurance office in Murphy. The Class of 2020 winners include (from left) Ayana Yan of Robbinsville, Isabella Rogers of Hayesville, Journie Newton of Murphy and Victoria Diaz of Andrews. Gracie Ledford of Hiwassee Dam arrived as the event was concluding. Photo by David Brown

        Murphy – A grand total of $25,000 in scholarship money was handed out on June 17 during a celebration at Steven Aft’s State Farm Insurance office.
        Since 2013, Aft has offered five Extra Mile scholarships worth $5,000 each to graduating seniors at Andrews, Hayesville, Hiwassee Dam, Murphy and Robbinsville high schools so they can continue their education in college. These students were recognized not just for academic or athletic achievements, like so many other scholarships, but for “going the extra mile” and overcoming the odds in order to succeed in their lives.
        The Class of 2020 is a diverse and interesting group of students, who shared that they all plan to attend different colleges this fall:

    •     Ayana Yan of Robbinsville High School plans on attending Southwestern Community College.
    •     Isabella Rogers of Hayesville High Schools plans on attending the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
    •     Gracie Ledford of Hiwassee Dam High School plans on attending Tri-County Community College.
    •     Journie Newton of Murphy High School plans on attending Western Carolina University.
    •     Victoria Diaz of Andrews High School plans on attending the University of South Florida.

        Aft saluted all the winners for not giving up in the face of adversity, calling them “inspirational.” Family members and past winners gathered for a meal in honor of this year’s winning students, who received a rugged backpack in addition to the check.