Georgia Rotary Student Program

Barbara M. and Donald L. Thomas "Memorial Peace Award"

Don and Barbara Thomas were always been strong supporters of the Georgia Rotary Student Program. Through the years, they have helped entertain our club’s GRSP students and were always been special friends to them.

Barbara and Don were both Will Watt Fellows, and Don is also a Hue Thomas Fellow.

In June of 1992, Don and Barbara created a Charitable Remainder Trust for $100,000. Then they put out a challenge to the rest of the clubs in District 6900 … If other District Rotarians would raise $100,000 for GRSP, Don & Barbara would match it again for a 2nd $100,000 trust. Because of their leadership, the money was raised and matched.

In 2002 they moved forward to establish an annual “Memorial Peace Award” so that a deserving GRSP student can be awarded $2,000. For years and years to come, this award will make it possible for Georgia Rotarians to help deserving students who otherwise could not afford to participate in this wonderful program.

In 2008, the 6th receipient of the Peace Award was Andrea Sertic (see photo) from Croatia. Andrea is hosted by the Rotary Club of Skidaway Island, Savannah, GA. She attends Armstrong Atlantic State University.

• GRSP - Alison Rose Bentley 1999 - 2000
• GRSP - Brad Tait - Student of the Year 2008
• GRSP - Celine Ursula Nygaard 2003 - 2004
• GRSP - Claudia Happel 2001-2002
• GRSP - Hoppenreys Mathilde 2007-08 - France
• GRSP - Ian Engblom Wallberg 2006-07
• GRSP - Jandré Grobler 2009 - 2010
• GRSP - Kristine Kjellsen 2004 -2005
• GRSP - Miss Maria Oyuela Medina 2005 -2006
• GRSP - Miss Valarie Morgan 1997 - 1998
• GRSP - Mr. Kristian Skipper-Pedersen 1998 - 1999
• GRSP - Obinna Gabriel Edeh 2000 - 2001
• GRSP - Sarah Dunning 2002 - 2003