Golden K Kiwanis Club of Smyrna Awards Scholarships

A day after Smyrna celebrated Memorial Day, the Golden K Kiwanis Club of Smyrna remembered its members who have passed away by awarding scholarships in their honor. This year’s recipient was Devyn Jones, a graduating senior from , who received a scholarship in memory of Jake Trainer.

Jones said he felt “excited, nervous and honored” when he learned he’d received the Jake Trainer Memorial Scholarship. 

“I’m very honored to be here today,” Jones said. “I’m hoping to make the most of this. I really hope to do a lot, maybe for this organization in the future.”

Twenty students from throughout Cobb County applied for the scholarship valued at $4,000, but Jones’s application stood out, said Alan Wilgus, chairman of the scholarship committee. 

While the scholarship committee was impressed with Jones’s 3.4 GPA, they were most impressed with his commitment to serving the community.

While at Campbell, Jones participated in Junior ROTC, and . He and his mother also set up a recycling program for their neighborhood.

Jones plans to maintain his commitment to serving others into adulthood. He will study English and foreign studies next fall at Georgia Southern University. After college he’d like to become a doctor or an attorney and maybe join the Peace Corps.

“Anything that I can use to help people more with my career,” he explained.

Clemmie Trainer, Jake Trainer’s wife, awarded the scholarship check to Jones. Jones will receive a $1,000 check from Smyrna Golden K Kiwanis for each of the four years he’s in college.

Past scholarship recipients were also present to receive their annual award. Emily Zoino, a rising sophomore nursing student at Clemson University received the second installment of the Duane Paris Memorial Scholarship. Nancy Hutano is a rising junior at Kennesaw State University studying marketing. She received the third installment of the Joe Latanzi Memorial Scholarship. Michelle Gibson could not attend the ceremony, but will receive the John Sprague Memorial Scholarship to help pay for her senior year at the University of Georgia. Past scholarship recipient Rose Gibson attended the meeting to update the club on her time at Georgia State University. She will graduate in December with a music degree.

The money to fund the scholarships comes from club fundraisers and donations from family members and friends.