Teen Volunteer earns scholarship

Katherine “Katie” Turner, a graduating senior at Spring Hill High School, is the recipient of the 2023 Friends of the Irmo Branch Library Scholarship. The one-time $2,000 scholarship recognizes an Outstanding Junior Volunteer at the Irmo Branch Library.

Turner started as a library volunteer as an eighth grader.

“Serving as a library volunteer has meant a lot to me. Not only did I gain new skills, but I also got to see a thriving library community. Volunteering at the library was a natural step for me,” Katie wrote in her application for the scholarship, “Attending library programs and weekly visits were a part of my childhood.”

“We are delighted to award this year’s junior volunteer scholarship to such a deserving student,” said C. Grant Jackson, president of the Friends of the Irmo Branch Library. “The junior volunteers provide invaluable service to the library.”

In addition to volunteering at the library, Turner has also been active elsewhere in the community, including raising funds for Epworth Children’s Home, and helping collect food items for Sharing God’s Love and Sistercare. At Spring Hill, she has been a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Multimedia Gaming Club, Crochet Club, Robotics Club, Girls Who Code and many other organizations.

The daughter of William and Lucy Turner, Katie will attend the University of South Carolina in the fall, where she plans to major in computer science.

Pictured left to right Karen F. Fallaw, director of school counseling at Spring Hill High School; Lynn Parler, chair of the Friends Scholarship Committee; Friends President C. Grant Jackson; Recipient Katherine “Katie” Turner; Katie’s Parents Lucy and William Turner.