06/11/2026
2026 SAM DUTTA SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
The Millington Lions Club awarded its annual scholarships, June 10, to four local graduating high school seniors, at the club’s regular meeting at the Community Fire Company of Millington fire hall. Makena Fellows received a $6,000 scholarship to be paid in four payments over four years. She plans to attend Stevenson University and major in psychology with an aim to study criminal justice and ultimately get into the FBI and become a criminal behavior specialist. Receiving a lump-sum $4,000 scholarship was Cara Fellows. She plans to attend Stevenson University and major in criminal justice. Michele Menequin received a $2,000 award. She plans to attend Texas State University and major in criminal justice with the aim of becoming a crime scene investigator. And Ava Dalrymple received an award of $1,000. She plans to attend cosmetology school.
The scholarships are named in honor of Surrinder "Sam" Dutta. Lions Member Rahul “Rocky” Dutta, his mother Bala Dutta and Shweta Dutta-Sethi were on hand for the presentation, as were family members of the recipients.
The Millington Lions Club’s scholarships are awarded annually to a deserving student or students from the Millington area who meet high academic and community standards. Funding for the award is derived from various fundraisers and donations including a matching donation from the Dutta family. The scholarship program was started by Frank Embert in 1995. Since that time the club has given out 63 scholarships worth a total of $109,500. Recipients to date are as follows:
2026: Makena Fellows ($6,000); Cara Fellows ($4,000); Michele Menequin ($2,000); Ava Dalrymple ($1,000).
2025: Laurel Clark ($8,000); Cassidy Alexander ($3,000); Madison Cunningham ($1,000).
2024 -- Addison Litton ($6,000); Drew Davis ($1,000); Taylor Thren ($500)
2023 -- Delaney Jewell ($6,000); Mollie Henckel ($500)
2022 – Olivia Daniels ($5,000); Hannah Beattie ($1,000) and Eryn Johnston ($1,000)
2021 – Leanna Hardin ($2,000)
2019 – Grace Sweetak ($2,000); Daniel Mitzel ($500); Melyn Rhodes ($500); and Joshua Thompson ($500)
2018 – Mei-An Blatchford ($2,000); Jack Sweetak ($500).
2017 – Amber Johnson ($2,000)
2016 – Samantha Redman ($2,000), Alexis Johnston ($500)
2015 – Hannah Johnston ($2,000)
2014 – Peyton Chance ($2,000), Kylie Freeman
2013 – Ashley Strong ($2,000), Brianne Redman ($2,000)
2012 – Jesse Downey, Jr., ($500)
2011 – Kathryn Steffy ($2,000), Ty Bottomley ($500)
2010 – Eric Durham ($2,000), Angelica Calloway ($500)
2009 – Emily Strong ($2,000), Heath Miller ($2,000), Greg Crossley ($250), Catherine Cheek ($250), Eugene Germann ($250), Joshua Hortensius ($250)
2008 – No applications received
2007 – Matthew Wood ($2,000), Sarah Garven ($500), Lauren Morales ($500)
2006 – Jamila Cook ($2,000), Heather Jo Kohl ($500), David Roche ($500), Meghan Dickerson ($300), Beth Steffy ($300), Jordan Usilton ($300), Sean Mahoney ($300), Scott Waalen ($300)
2005 – Ruben Hortensius ($2,000)
2004 – Paul Ford ($2,000)
2003 – Kim Wood ($2,000)
2002 – Christian Gore ($2,000), Brittany Garvey ($2,000)
2001 – Randy Stubbs ($2,000)
2000 -- Stacy Clough ($2,000)
1999 -- Rosie Moore ($2,000)
1998 – Jamie Quirk ($2,000)
1997 – Corey Tosten ($2,000)
1996 – Matthew Hannifee ($2,000)
1995 – Erica Schauber ($2,000)
