Emily Hodge of Landrum, a rising 10th grade student at Spartanburg

Day School, is the recipient of the 2016 Peggy Gignilliat Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a student in Converse College’s Lawson Academy of the Arts. The $1,000 tuition award is administered by Chapman Cultural Center and the Peggy Gignilliat Society.

The daughter of Donnie and Ann Hodge, Emily has studied violin with Lyn Acosta at Lawson Academy since the age of four. Her numerous performances include Converse’s Shining Stars recital, Music Sandwiched In at the Spartanburg County Library, and S.C. Regional Orchestra.

She was last year’s recipient of the Dorothy Chapman Smith scholarship at the Lawson Academy. Hodge is also a student at Ballet Spartanburg, where she has danced in many roles, including that of Clara in “The Nutcracker.” This summer she attended the prestigious Juilliard Summer Dance Intensive in New York.

Some of her academic accomplishments include recognition as a South Carolina Junior Scholar and a Duke TIP scholar at the statewide level. She received a Polk County Foundation Merit Scholarship to attend a Duke TIP summer studies program.

Hodge is a member of Gramling United Methodist Church. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, skiing, photography and traveling.

Chapman Cultural Center annually awards the Peggy Gignilliat Scholarship to a student musician studying a stringed instrument, such as the violin, viola, cello or double bass. The award consists of one academic year of private lessons at Lawson Academy, up to a limit of $1,000. The recipient must be in 7th through 12th grade in the year of study and a resident of Spartanburg County. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of musical talent, and the recipient is selected by audition. Auditions are held in conjunction with the regular scholarship auditions of Lawson Academy.

The Lawson Academy of the Arts at Converse College has served the Upstate community for 72 years. Rich in history and known for its tradition in educational excellence in the arts, the Lawson Academy offers quality private and group instruction in most musical instruments and voice, with some dance classes as well.

Chapman Cultural Center provides cultural leadership to Spartanburg and is the recipient of funds raised in the Peggy Gignilliat Society, a giving organization named after one of the community’s most dedicated supporters of the arts.

– article submitted by Ann Hodge