Bloomfield, Eastern Greene students awarded $3,500 scholarships

Two Greene County high school graduates have each been awarded $3,500 college scholarships.

The scholarships honor a local couple who worked hard during the Great Depression era and provided for their family during times of great financial challenges.

Eastern Greene High School's Jodi Byers and Bloomfield Junior Senior High School's Nikkole Thombleson are the 2008 recipients of the Earnest Benjamin and Ruth V. Holtsclaw Memorial Scholarship -- administered by the Greene County Foundation.

This is a new Foundation scholarship this year.

"It (the Holtslclaws) is the American dream story. For that generation it's a story that is fairly common," Greene County Foundation Executive Director Kerry Conway said. "Mr. Holtsclaw graduated from the eighth grade. He went on and then joined the Army and sort of saw the world. He came back home and went to work at Crane and raised a family. His son went to college and it is real obvious to me that they (the couple) were proud of him and saw what a difference it made in his life and really wanted to make that difference for other kids in Greene County. What a wonderful thing. What a wonderful tribute to his memory."

Byers is the daughter of John and Lorroune Byers, Route 1, Solsberry.

She plans to pursue a career in math or science and will attend Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute.

In high school, she was member of the National Honor Society, Science Club, Quiz Bowl team, Flock Advisory Board, Prom committee, KOM Mentors Council, softball team, student manager for the cross country team and attended the Youth Philanthropy Conference and Youth Life Camp.

Away from the classroom, she tutored math students, worked as a secretary for her dad's architectural firm, mowed lawns, house cleaned and served as a babysitter.

Thombleson is the daughter of Scott and Lori Thombleson of Route 6, Bloomfield.

She plans major in either biology or chemistry and will attend Purdue University at West Lafayette in the fall.

She is employed at Taylor Creations in Bloomfield.

While at BHS, she participated in volleyball, basketball and tennis, was a member of the National Honor Society, Knowledge Master, Booster Club, Student Council, Christian Service Club, Spanish Club, Science Club, Center Stage Choral Group and served a coach for the Biddy Basketball program.

She is also a 10-year 4-H member.

Bennie Holtsclaw, as he was known by his friends, was born in eastern Greene County during the Great Depression in 1921. After his eighth grade year -- because of family financial hardship -- he went to work for the Civilian Conservation Corps. Young boys frequently went to work for the CCC where in exchange for their labor they were provided with a place to sleep and meals along with a $20 a month paycheck.

Bennie sent his monthly check back home to his grandmother, who was raising him.

Ruth (Thompson) Holtsclaw was born in 1922, attended Solsberry High School for two years and graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1941.

In August 1942, Bernie was drafted into the Army and before leaving for basic training at Fort Sill, Okla., he married his sweetheart in Scottsburg.

Bernie was stationed in China, Burma and India and battled malaria on and off for about two years. He was honorably discharged in Nov. 1945 and returned home to Greene County.

In 1947, he went to work at Crane -- first as a laborer and then in the transportation department. He retired in 1985 after 38 years of service.

Bernie passed away in May 2004 after 61 years of marriage to Ruth.

His widow established the yearly scholarship as a tribute to her husband for the legacy he left by his hard work in providing a good life for this family. His son, Earnest Leroy Holtsclaw graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1961 and later earned a college degree from Purdue University.