Suzanne Johnson Scholarship

CARY AND SUZANNE JOHNSON

CARY AND SUZANNE JOHNSON

First STate Bank Staff

First STate Bank Staff

jack johnson, CARI ANNE WHITEHEAD & JESSICA LINDSEY

jack johnson, CARI ANNE WHITEHEAD & JESSICA LINDSEY

The Suzanne Johnson Scholarship endowment serves as a testament to the generosity of the Burnet community. What was originally established as a one time memorial fund has now transformed into an annual fundraiser that continues to grow exponentially each year.

The endowment was created through the Hill Country Community Foundation, and was co-founded by Suzanne's husband, Cary Johnson along with his children Jessica Lindsey, Cari Ann Whitehead and Jack Johnson. The Johnson family moved to Burnet in 1981, where Cary Johnson now serves as President of First State Bank. 

"Mom and dad both always felt like it was very important to be an integral part of the growth in the community," said Jessica Lindsey, their eldest daughter. "Mom loved her community and was always so very supportive.”

Suzanne Johnson passed away in 2011 after a three year battle with brain cancer. Since the creation of the endowment, they've raised over $1.1 million, creating $81,000.00 in scholarships.

"It's a testament to this community and how generous they are, and it's also a testament to mom and what people thought of her," said Cari Anne Whitehead, the youngest Johnson daughter. "Without those two things, we wouldn't be where we are.”

"I am so proud of the way the people of Burnet have honored the memory of my mother, " said Jack Johnson.  "The Suzanne Johnson endowment will benefit Burnet High School graduates for generations to come, and I can't think of a more fitting legacy for a life well lived."

A fundraiser dinner is held every year in honor of Suzanne Johnson and the legacy she has left behind. The yearly event is made possible thanks to the dedicated support from the staff at the First State Bank and others from the Burnet community. 

"She was such a great mother, wife, and community volunteer," said Lindsey. "We can strive to be a little bit like she was, and teach our children to do the same."

Allison Everett

Allison Everett was the first to attend college in her family. According to Everett, it was never a pressure her parents placed upon her, but something she had always wanted to do.

"I wanted to be involved and I really valued learning. I really loved school," said Everett. "It was never really a question whether or not I would go to college.”

Born and raised in Burnet, Texas, Allison became the Valedictorian of the Burnet High School class of 2009, and received the Katharine Greathouse Memorial scholarship through the Hill Country Community Foundation. 

"My scholarship from the HCCF was integral in that first year as far as paying for my education," said Everett.

Allison went on to attend Southwestern University in Georgetown to receive her undergraduate, and is currently in her second year working towards her Master's of Science in Education at Baylor.

"Eventually I would like to be a Dean of Students or a VP of Student Life, but you don't just walk into one of those jobs,” said Everett. "Right now I'm wanting to be there with students as they transition in to college life.”

Allison graduates in May, and is currently preparing for the next big step in her life.

"I want to be that teacher or that counselor that was there to help students transition and make the most out of their college experience," said Allison. "A lot of that comes from having a lot of great mentors in my life who were there for me. I want to pay it forward and do the same thing."