Becoat, Brooks & Douglas named Darby Scholarship winners for 2012

The Florence Regional Arts Alliance, in collaboration with Honda of South Carolina, recently announced the 2012 Betty Ann Darby Scholarship winners.  For the first time in the scholarship program’s history, three recipients were named.   They are: Justin Brooks of South Florence High School, William Douglas of Wilson High School and Ellie Becoat of Hannah-Pamplico High School.

Justin Brooks plans to attend Coastal Carolina University and major in music.  While in high school, Brooks was awarded the Patrick S. Gilmore Award for outstanding contribution to the South Florence High School band.  He was also the captain of the drum line in 2011-12. 

William Douglas plans to attend the University of South Carolina and major in organ performance.  Douglas is no stranger to performance, having served as a pianist and organist at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Florence.  He also performed as part of St. John’s Epiphany Concert Series this past January.

Ellie Becoat will be attending Francis Marion University in the Fall, where he will major in graphic design.  Becoat was a standout student at Hannah-Pamplico.  In addition to receiving the Darby Scholarship, he was recently awarded the Excellence in Arts Education Award for Visual Art by the Florence Regional Arts Alliance. 

With Brooks, Douglas and Becoat receiving this year’s honors, 27 Florence County students have been awarded the prestigious Betty Ann Darby Scholarship since the program was established in 1997.  The Betty Ann Darby Scholarships are open to all Florence County graduating seniors who will be pursuing advanced academic or professional degrees in the arts or arts education. 

The Betty Ann Darby Scholarships are named in honor of one of South Carolina's most distinguished music educators.  A member of the South Carolina Music Educator’s Hall of Fame, Ms. Darby served Florence Public School District One for thirty-nine years as a much beloved and highly revered music administrator and music teacher.  Since her retirement in 1987, Ms. Darby has embraced a broad array of volunteer activities in the arts community. 

Established in 1984, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance is a community-based non-profit organization that is committed to preserving, supporting and promoting the Arts in Florence County.  Additionally, FRAA strives to promote and strengthen the the Arts in the region through its online arts marketing initiative, Pee Dee Arts.