Noranda awards four local students funding

NEW MADRID -- Jacob Bracey, Jenna Hawkins, Audra Porter and Kylie Spence were awarded 2014 Noranda Aluminum College Scholarships of $3,000. This year, Noranda Aluminum awarded a total of 10 scholarships, four of which went to children of employees at the New Madrid smelter.

Noranda scholarships are awarded to children of Noranda employees, based on academic and individual achievement, that are attending an accredited academic institution.

Bracey is the son of Mary Catherine and Jim Bracey of Portageville. Currently he attends the University of Missouri-Columbia majoring in computer engineering.

Bracey graduated from Portageville High School where he was valedictorian of the class of 2014. While in high school, he played football all four years, and served as president of: the Future Business Leaders of America, Future Farmers of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and National Honor Society. He also participated in Beta Club, Student Council and Art Club.

The daughter of Doug and Donna Hawkins, Hawkins currently attends the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and plans to graduate in 2019 with a doctor of pharmacy degree. Hawkins graduated valedictorian in 2013 from Portageville High School while playing both basketball and softball for all four years. In 2013, she was also named Conference Player of the Year in softball, won second place in the SEMO District Science Fair and served as the class of 2013 President.

Daughter of Edward and Vicki Porter of New Madrid. Porter was the vice president of the class of 2014, vice president of the National Honor Society, secretary of the Student Council, secretary of the Beta Club, member of the Football Cheer Squad, Band, Best Club, Honor Roll, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Junior Staff and a Gold Card member of the Renaissance Club. She attends Truman State University majoring in Nursing.

Spence, the daughter of Joelle and Todd Spence of Portageville, attends the University of Alabama where she is majoring in mechanical engineering and plans to get her master's degree.

In high school, she graduated as the Portageville High School class of 2014 salutatorian. Also she served as vice president of Future Business Leaders of America, president of National Honors Society and secretary of BETA Club, Junior Class president, Student Council, Art Club and Prom Committee.