Westfield students receive UGA’s 2017 Bernard Ramsey Honors Scholarship

Two graduating seniors at The Westfield School, Branham Culpepper of Perry and Hayes Way of Hawkinsville, are among a very select group of only 60 recipients nationwide for the University of Georgia’s 2017 Bernard Ramsey Honors Scholarship. More than 22,000 students across the nation apply for freshman admission to UGA. Of those applicants, only 50 to 60 are invited to apply and interview for the Ramsey scholarship. The Ramsey Scholarship is considered one of the university’s most prestigious undergraduate scholarships. As Ramsey Scholars, students participate in a community of young scholars on campus and also in service learning trips and international study abroad programs.

Culpepper is a National Merit Scholarship finalist and has earned numerous academic excellence awards during his high school career, including STAR Student, National AP Scholar with Distinction, Georgia Scholar, University of Georgia Certificate of Merit, Georgia Governor’s Honors semi-finalist, Golden Eagle nominee and Georgia Boys’ State Honor Graduate. He earned the state championship in spelling in the 2017 GISA AAA State Literary competition and was the 2016 region champion in argumentative essay.

Culpepper attended the National Youth Leadership forum in engineering and technology. An Eagle Scout, he has participated in many school and community activities, including the Perry Youth Leadership program, math team, Beta Club, varsity cross country team, green team, culinary arts club, peer tutoring and chess club. He is a member of Fort Valley United Methodist Church, where he has volunteered in service and ministry projects. He is the son of Judge and Mrs. Bryant Culpepper of Perry.

Way is a National Merit Commended Scholar, a national AP Scholar with honor, Georgia Scholar and the recipient of numerous academic achievement honors and awards. He was a 2016 Georgia Governor’s Honors participant in the subject area of mathematics and received honorable mention for the Telegraph’s Golden Eagle award in mathematics.

Way earned first place in the Middle Georgia State University Math Olympics. He was a member of the varsity wrestling team and served as the student statistician for the varsity football team. Hayes served as a member of the academic bowl team, math team, culinary arts team and as the founder and co-president of the chess club.

An accomplished pianist, Way has played several times at Carnegie Hall and also as a participant on Westfield’s literary team and as the principal pianist for the Macon Symphony Youth Orchestra. He participated in the Pulaski County Youth Leadership program. Way is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey Way of Hawkinsville.

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