Deborah Taylor (center) receives the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship from Randall Franks (3rd from left), Share America president; Joe Turner (2nd from left), Share America chairman; and the Testimony Quartet, from left, Tim Owens, Heath Allen, Howard Stewart and Ken Hicks recently in Ringgold. (Share America photo)

Fiddler Deborah Taylor, 17, was recently awarded the Pearl & Floyd Franks Scholarship from The Share America Foundation during a recent Sacred Sounds Fridays concert at the Ringgold Depot in Ringgold, GA. Taylor appeared at the event performing three songs including “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” and Dottie Rambo’s “We Shall Behold Him.”

Taylor, a Ringgold native, was initially selected to be the 2007 Catoosa County designee for the scholarship and is now attending Covenant College. She received a $750 scholarship.

Taylor is a home-school graduate and began playing the fiddle five years ago. “I heard singer Josh Groban’s violinist and that made me want to take lessons,” she said. “Instead of the violin, I began fiddle lessons and that was something that seemed to be so much more relaxed and fun that I haven’t been able to stop playing since.”

“We are so excited to see our first designee now pursuing her college career,” said Joe Turner, Share America chairman.

The Pearl & Floyd Franks Scholarship honors students excelling in the Appalachian musical arts.

Share America will host the gospel music of country star and actress Stella Parton on Nov. 13 at 7:30 at the Ringgold Depot. The Jeff Hullender Family will also appear. Admission donation is $5.

For more information about the organization and its programs contact Share America, P.O. Box 42, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755.