Two Students Receive $10,000 in Scholarships
Scholarship Sunday honored two Savannah students with awards from the Henley Scholarship and a community church celebration.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Scholarships
Two students received $10,000 in scholarships at Scholarship Sunday on October 25, 2026, at New Beginning Community Christian Church in Savannah. Nyanna Saunders received $6,000 through the Maggie Lee & John B. Henley Scholarship, and Charlotte Smart received $4,000.
Why it matters
The awards extend the Henley family's legacy of educational opportunity to students in Savannah. The scholarships were established to honor Maggie Lee Henley and John B. Henley, Sr., who were not afforded the chance to pursue an education.
Nyanna Saunders, a University of Georgia social work graduate student, received $6,000 and Charlotte Smart, pursuing an associate degree at Savannah Technical College, received $4,000. The total of $10,000 was awarded at a single event, and the source does not disclose how many applicants competed for the awards.
The players
New Beginning Community Christian Church
A Savannah church at 2310 Causton Bluff Road that hosted the Scholarship Sunday celebration and presented the awards.
New Beginning Community Development Center
A community organization that joined the church and families in celebrating the scholarship recipients.
The details
The scholarships were presented during a worship celebration at New Beginning Community Christian Church at 2310 Causton Bluff Road. The event brought together family, friends, the church, and New Beginning Community Development Center.
Timeline
October 25, 2026: Scholarship Sunday awards presented at New Beginning Community Christian Church.
Legacy in Practice
The Maggie Lee & John B. Henley Scholarship carries forward the memory of Maggie Lee Henley and John B. Henley, Sr., who never received the education the award now helps others pursue. Awards like the $6,000 given to Nyanna Saunders show how a family-named fund can direct support to students at institutions such as the University of Georgia.
Students in the Savannah area seeking funding for college or technical programs can look to family-named and church-based scholarships as possible sources of support. The Henley award shows that such funds may be available to graduate students and associate-degree candidates alike.
The takeaway
Community-based scholarships can open doors that families once could not walk through themselves. Students should ask local churches and community groups about awards that may not be widely advertised.
Further reading
Explore more Savannah scholarship opportunities for students pursuing college or technical training.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Savannah Tribune.
