The Share America Foundation Inc., announced its Catoosa County scholarship designee at a recent Sacred Sounds Fridays concert featuring Stella Parton and the Jeff Hullender Family at the Ringgold Depot.

The events help fund the organization’s Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship. Pearl and Floyd Franks are the late parents and former entertainment managers of actor/entertainer Randall Franks. The scholarships honor students excelling the Appalachian musical arts.

Kylan Rodgers, 15, of Ringgold was selected to be the 2009 Catoosa County designee for the scholarship.

Rodgers appeared at the event performing two selections “Stay Close To Me” written by Tommy Emmanuel and his original song “Heading Home.”

“He was not aware that he was to receive the award, so it came as quite a surprise,” said Joe Turner, Share America chairman.

Rodgers shared his gratitude with the crowd in attendance.

“I have always wanted to work towards a scholarship so I could go and study music,” he said. “I want to thank everyone who took part in this. I cannot tell you how much this means to me.”

The board will decide the amount of the scholarship at the time of the award, Turner said.

“One of our annual scholarships is set aside for a musician from Catoosa County. There were no applicants from Catoosa this year so the board of directors chose a candidate and will award the 2009 scholarship in the year that candidate attends college,” said Randall Franks, Share America president. “Kylan is definitely carrying on not only a family tradition but making the music of this region while performing on a variety of instruments,” he said. “I think my Mom and Dad are smiling down on his efforts.”

The requirements for designees to receive the scholarship are to fulfill the application requirements in the year he or she enroll in college immediately following graduation and continue to play the Appalachian musical instrument of their choice, according to Franks.

Rodgers is ninth grader at Heritage High School from Ringgold. He also plays piano, drums, Dobro, bass guitar, alto saxophone and other instruments.

“With my music, I plan to become a contemporary Christian artist,” he said. “My dream is to travel around the world and bring people to Christ through my music.”

Rodgers is the son of the late Curtis Rodgers and Sandra Crider. His stepfather is guitarist Wesley Crider.

He is the grandson of Richard and Ruth Holmes of Ringgold, Phyllis Morrison of Ringgold and Butch Rodgers of Dalton.

The next Sacred Sounds Fridays concert is Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m., featuring The Southern Sound Quartet of Nashville, Tenn. For more information about the organization and its programs contact Share America, P.O. Box 42, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755 or visit www.shareamericafoundation.org