Harless, Hale awarded up to $10,000 each academic year
“I am grateful to be able to give back to my hometown community by supporting the next generation, and I want to help others from similar backgrounds as myself complete their education.” –Ed Harmon
The Harmon family announced May 10 that Martin County High School graduating seniors Kaylee Harless and Bobby Hale will be the initial recipients of the Harmon Family Scholarship for Martin County.
Harmon Scholars will be awarded up to $10,000 each academic year towards qualifying educational expenses.
The scholarship was founded in 2022 by Claude Edward Harmon (Ed) and his wife Laura to support high school graduates in Martin County who are dedicated to the goal of completing higher education.
The Harmon family said in a press release that Harless and Hale “clearly demonstrate the Harmon family’s core values of hard work, integrity, respect and perseverance.”
Ed Harmon, CEO of NAI Harmon Group, grew up in Martin County before moving to Columbus, Ohio, as a young man. Ed’s background includes serving in the navy and getting a college education, which led to the founding of several businesses over his career that employed hundreds of people across multiple states.
“I am grateful to be able to give back to my hometown community by supporting the next generation, and I want to help others from similar backgrounds as myself complete their education,” said Ed. “Our intention is to do this every year to support bright young people who grew up like I did.”
Program administrator and current company president Steve Harmon added, “Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity isn’t. Our family is proud to help other families get the same opportunities we did and graduate college debt-free.”
Hale shared his response to the award, “I’m so grateful to the Harmon family for their investment in my future. Their support will help me get through college and set me up for success after college.”
Harless added, “Not only am I honored, I am extremely blessed to receive the first-ever Harmon Scholarship. Growing up in a small town makes a person want to achieve. The Harmons have graciously awarded us with a chance at that dream.”
The Harmon Family Scholarship Program’s mission is to provide college and technical school scholarships to high-achieving students with economic need in Martin County. The program also provides Harmon Scholars with mentoring to ensure academic success, graduation on schedule, meaningful work skills and manageable student loan debt upon entering the workforce.