Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The 2024 R.J. and Linda Martin Scholarship is awarded this year to Thaddeus Ruff. 

The scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving Polk County High School senior who has demonstrated high achievement, is well-rounded, and is involved in extracurricular activities. 

The $1,000 award was established in honor of Dr. R. J. “Jock” Martin and his wife, Linda Walker Martin. The Martin family established the scholarship in 2018 based on a strong belief in the value of education as being essential to living a productive and fulfilling life. 

Thaddeus is an outstanding student at Polk High. He spent part of his senior year in The Czech Republic, made possible through a scholarship from the Polk County Community Foundation.  His experiences studying abroad and gaining additional family and new friends have been defining moments in his life.  

He loves to snowboard, play tennis, hike, and spend his free time doing just about anything outdoors. Thaddeus plans to attend Western Carolina University in the fall.  

He is the son of Amanda Ruff of Sunny View.

 

Submitted by Susan S. McHugh