'Most awesome student'
Moultrie News June 20, 2024
An enterprising high school senior's outstanding list of scholastic, community and professional achievements were deciding factors in making Jason Gould of Academic Magnet High School a shoe-in as this year's recipient of the Joe Brinson Memorial Scholarship presented by the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce.
During the Chamber's June 20 luncheon at the Omar Shrine Temple, Community Engagement Committee Chair Brian Sherman introduced Gould to a large audience of business representatives and local officials.
"I think we picked the most awesome student," said Sherman, who proceeded to rattle off the young man's accomplishments, including his experience as a piano student, competitor, performer and teacher, as well as also founding his own piano teaching business in 2022.
Gould is also the co-founder and president of the Jewish Student Outreach Club, captain of the varsity swim team, along with serving as a senior member of the Mayor's Youth Commission, the co-founder of the Uganda Initiative, a tutor and lobbyist/delegate representing South Carolina's Jewish community on Capitol Hill, meeting with US Senators Lindsay Graham and Tim Scott, as well as US Representatives Nancy Mace and Jim Clyburn.
What's more, the venturesome teen also had time to write for his school newspaper, The Talon, in the role of co-editor.
"This is really meaningful to me just to be able to pursue my dreams and continue my career," stated a gracious Gould who took home a $4,000 check that will go toward his tuition at Emory University. As a collegian-in-waiting, the local scholar plans to study neuroscience, music performance, music theory, Spanish and entrepreneurship.
Joining Gould at the Chamber presentation was last year's Joe Brinson Memorial Scholarship winner and current University of South Carolina student Allison Scolnick, formerly of Wando High School.
As the first scholarship recipient to return to the next year's award presentation, Scolnick spoke about her busy year that saw her acquire sales and advertising acumen under the guidance of Chamber President and Mount Pleasant Towne Centre Marketing Director Kathi Herrmann.
The college freshman went on to chip in for Special Olympics South Carolina, volunteer at a local animal shelter, perform inside sales at a real estate firm and now works as a sales representative at an area Volkswagen dealership.
