SSCC awards Dylan Philip Wilson and Nathan Paeltz Memorial Scholarship to Kiley Hewitt and Taylor Smith
Pictured are Nicole Roades and Taylor Smith.
By Elizabeth Burkard
Director of Marketing
Southern State Community College
The Southern State Community College Foundation has announced Kiley Hewitt and Taylor Smith as the recipients of the Dylan Philip Wilson and Nathan Paeltz Memorial Scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year.
A 2022 graduate of Georgetown High School, Hewitt is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing at Southern State. She hopes to be an ER nurse and eventually continue her education and work her way up to earning her Master of Science in Nursing degree.
Taylor Smith, a 2023 graduate of Eastern Brown High School, is also enrolled in Southern State’s Nursing program, and her primary goal is to become a Registered Nurse (RN) and work in a healthcare setting to provide high-quality care to patients.
The Dylan Philip Wilson and Nathan Paeltz Memorial Scholarship fund was established in 2006 in memory of Dylan Philip Wilson, a 1993 graduate of Georgetown High School, and was modified in 2014 to include Nathan Paeltz, Dylan’s long-time childhood friend. This fund serves to honor both young men and is designed to support graduates from Eastern Brown, Ripley Union Lewis Huntington, and Georgetown High Schools who have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
The scholarship criteria and selection are overseen by Dylan and Nathan’s close personal friend, Jon Linkous, long-time partner and chair of the Southern State Community College Foundation.
“It’s always a special moment to see students benefit from this fund,” said Linkous. “Every scholarship is a way to honor Dylan and Nathan, and to make sure their memories continue to burn bright.”
Dr. Nicole Roades, President of Southern State, added, “I am always humbled by the special care and attention extended in making the Dylan Philip Wilson and Nathan Paeltz scholarship award. It is so apparent that Jon has a high regard for his late friends; as such, I always have the assurance that this scholarship selection is the best fit for honoring Dylan and Nathan’s memory. On behalf of Southern State and the Foundation, I warmly congratulate Kiley and Taylor.”
To learn more about SSCC Foundation scholarship opportunities, please visit www.sscc.edu/financialaid/scholarships.shtml.
For more information on the stewardship role of the SSCC Foundation, please visit www.sscc.edu/about/foundation.shtml.
Below are Nicole Roades and Kiley Hewitt.
