The Ora L Jones Foundation recently awarded $10,000 in scholarships to 10 students in various schools throughout Shelby County, including six students in the Shelby County School District.

The Ora L. Jones Memorial Foundation was established to honor the memory of Mrs. Ora L. Jones, a Montevallo native and retiree of the University of Montevallo.  Her children, which includes Michael Jones, principal of New Directions, established the foundation after she passed in 2011.  The memorial scholarship was established with the following goal in mind: to help educate a child in order to motivate them to live out the principles modeled by Ora L. Jones so that they can demonstrate a life of service by reaching back and helping somebody else along life’s journey.

According to the foundation’s website, Mrs. Jones significantly impacted and influenced countless individuals by rendering sacrificial service.  Her care and concern for her community were readily evident through the life that she lived and love that she shared.

Proceeds from the second annual OLJ 5K race, which was held in Montevallo on May 7, along with other donations were used to fund the scholarships.  The 2016 OLJ Memorial scholarship winners were Brooke Hurst and Tia McCarter from Calera High School; Payton Jebeles from Shelby County High School; MaKayla Cottingham and Porche Pearson from Montevallo High School; Ashley Ruston from Oak Mountain High School; Kaylen Montgomery from Kingwood Christian School; Ashley Pope from Thompson High School; and Thomas Kulkis and Stephen Ritchey from Spain Park High School.