The family of Dr. R. J. and Linda Martin has announced the first recipient of the R. J. and Linda Martin Scholarship Award. 

This first scholarship is awarded to Bella Bowser, an honor student at Polk County High. She is the granddaughter of Secilia and Frank Norton, of Saluda. 

She is on the leadership team of the PCHS Unified Champions and is a member of the National Honor Society. Bella is a member of the Varsity Cheer Team and the Vocal Impressions Choral Group.

Her hobbies include music, being active and spending time with friends. 

Bowser has demonstrated outstanding leadership in academics and in extra-curricular activities, officials said.

She works at Landmark Inspections in Tryon.

She plans to attend Western Carolina University in the fall, where she will study recreational therapy.

The $1,000 R. J. and Linda Martin Scholarship Award is granted to a Polk County High School Senior who demonstrates high achievement and leadership and who plans to attend Western Carolina University in the fall.  The scholarship fund was established this year in honor of Dr. R. J. “Jock” Martin and his wife, Linda Walker Martin.

Martin was on the faculty at Western Carolina University for 10 years, and spent 20 years of his career thereafter in public education in both Polk and Buncombe counties.

His wife, Linda, is a native of Polk County and currently lives on her original family home place in Mill Spring. She attended Western Carolina and James Madison Universities where she studied library science. 

As a former kindergarten teacher and high school librarian, Linda has a passion for children’s education. She is the author of the children’s book “The Summer of the Rabbits.”

– Submitted by Susan McHugh