Group jingles, mingles

Trophy winner announced

Hunter Renfrow, Clemson University senior wide receiver, took home the Brandon Burlsworth Trophy for the nation’s most outstanding football player who started his career as a walkon. The trophy was presented at a luncheon hosted by the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation with the Springdale Rotary Club on Dec. 3 at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Other finalists for the trophy were Patrick Laird, University of California running back, and Marcus Epps, University of Wyoming free safety. The foundation and trophy are in memory of the late Brandon Burlsworth, who went from walk-on offensive lineman for the Razorbacks to All-American then to being selected as a third-round draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts. Among those gathered for the presentation were Tommy Tice, Chuck Barrett, Judy McReynolds, Nathan Waldrip, Mike McFarland, Lindy Lindsey, Kevin Trainor, Rick Barrows, Matt Jones, Vickie and Marty Burlsworth and Barbara Burlsworth. Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas supporters gathered for the annual Jingle Mingle on Dec. 6 at the Stone Chapel at Matt Lane Farm in Goshen. The event is a chance for scholarship recipients and supporters to ring in the holidays and serves as a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization. The fund helps single parents in Carroll, Madison and Washington counties. Along with money for school, the group helps recipients with living expenses and provides a mentoring program and other supports for recipients and

their families through graduation. Jennifer Hackler, ninetime scholarship recipient, shared her experiences with SPSF NWA with those gathered. She graduated in May 2018 from the University of Arkansas, has dual endorsements in STEM education and dyslexia therapy and is a sixth-grade English and reading teacher at Kirksey Middle School in the Rogers Public School District. “Simply put, I could not be where I am today without the support I received from the Single Parent Scholarship Fund. The money I received helped me to be able to live, not only to pay for books and classes.” Those mingling with the scholarship organization included Cathy and Jim Crouch, Natalie Bartholomew, Scott Poole, Michele Sears, Leslie and Ted Belden, Melissa and Randy Werner, Dakota Hill, Dave Holland, Rob Husong, Emily Bogner, Holly Wheeler and Darren Clark. For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.

Courtesy Photo Marty and Vickie Burlsworth (from left), Patrick Laird, Marcus Epps, Barbara Burlsworth and Hunter Renfrow stand for a photo at the Burlsworth Trophy luncheon and presentation ceremony Dec. 3 at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Renfrow was named the 2019 trophy winner at the luncheon.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Randy and Melissa Werner (from left) and Leslie and Ted Belden attend Jingle Mingle.

Courtesy Photo Tommy Tice (seated, from left), Chuck Barrett, Judy McReynolds, Nathan Waldrip, Marty Burlsworth (standing, from left), Mike McFarland, Vickie Burlsworth, Hunter Renfrow, Marcus Epps, Lindy Lindsey, Patrick Laird, Kevin Trainor, Rick Barrows and Matt Jones gather Dec. 3 for the Burlsworth Trophy presentation.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Dakota Hill (from left), Dave Holland and Rob Husong help support SPSFNWA.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Jamie Backer (from left), Brianna Baker and Carrie DeVore visit at Jingle Mingle.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Emily Bogner (from left), Holly Wheeler, Darren Clark and Natalie Bartholomew gather at Jingle Mingle.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/CARIN SCHOPPMEYER Jennifer Hackler (left) and Mallory Mounce help welcome guests to Jingle Mingle.