LAKELAND, Fla. (June 23, 2008) — Lakeland High School graduate Adara Powell has been named the 2008 Hazel Haley Scholar. Powell will receive a $2,500 scholarship each year for four years toward her education at Florida Southern College. She plans to major in English with a secondary education concentration.

During her four years at LHS, Powell was active both in and out of the classroom. She maintained a 3.4 GPA and has almost 250 hours of community service. All of her English courses have been at the pre-advanced/advanced placement or honors level. She writes poetry and her works have appeared in the Lakeland Ledger and the Polk County Teachers of English Annual Poetry Competition.

Outside the classroom, Powell participated in Keyettes, the girl's service club, all four years at LHS and served as junior advisor in her junior year and president in her senior year. As the Keyettes’ leader, Powell participated in many athletic events, planned children’s games incorporating exercise, and worked closely with the Drug Prevention Center to organize the Red Ribbon Run at Tiger Town. For her community work, LHS chose her as a Silver Garland finalist. She was a member of the LHS majorettes and was awarded the Majorette Superior Ensemble Award two years in a row. Powell is the daughter of Tracey Powell of Lakeland, Fla.

The Hazel Haley Scholarship Fund was created by a group of Lakeland High School graduates and friends of Florida Southern College to honor the late Hazel H. Haley, a 1937 FSC alumna and beloved English teacher. Haley was the longest-serving teacher in Florida and a guest lecturer at FSC.