2013 Recipients of the Virginia Smiles Katie Higgins Memorial Scholarship

Thanks to the generosity of the family and friends of Katie Higgins, Virginia Smiles was able to award two scholarships for the first time in our history. We are proud to announce that Michael Lamar Cox Jr and Anna Caroline Grishaw are this year's recipients.

Anna is from Falls Church, VA and is attending Sewanee University of the South in Chattanooga, TN. Anna plans to major in psychology and would like to have a career that will allow her to give back to her community. Anna and her family also support The Smile Train, an international cleft charity that assists children who cannot afford the necessary corrective surgeries.

Michael is from Chesapeake, VA and is attending James Madison University. He will be the first in his family to attend college. Michael would like to study biology with a track in pre-med so that he can be a part of the healing community and help others, just as he was helped. His dream is to become a Cranial Facial Surgeon and follow the example of his surgeon, Dr. William Magee, who started Operation Smile, along with his wife. Operation Smile is another international cleft charity that assists children who cannot afford the corrective surgeries.

Both Anna and Michael have a spirit to serve others, just as Katie Higgins did, and are very deserving of this scholarship in Katie's memory. We are confident that Anna and Michael will keep Katie's compassionate spirit alive as they pursue their dreams.

Previous Virginia Smiles Scholarship Recipients:

2023: Rose Perkins from Abingdon, VA
2022: Benjamin Ray Rogers from Verona, VA
2021: Grace Hopkins Davenport from Midlothian, VA
2020: Lia Peach
2019: Jenna Lambert
2018: Jessica Elise Miller from King George, VA
2017: No award
2016: Curtis Bishop, George Mason University
2015: Kulie Nabers, Asbury University
2014: David Rieth, University of Mary Washington
2013: Michael Cox Jr, James Madison University and Anna Grishaw, Sewanee University
2012: Sam Rosen, Bowling Green state University
2011: John Mahaney, Shenandoah University
2010: No award
2009: Josh Duncan, Virginia Community College Transfer Program
2008: Kyle Speers, Eastern Mennonite University
2007: Maria Summers, Randolph Macon College
2006: Steven Richard Day, Virginia Polytech Institute
2005: Katie Higgins, Blue Ridge Community College Transfer Program

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