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By Erika Anderson, Staff Writer

DECATUR-At St. Peter Claver Regional School, eighth-grader Jessica Dyett said you can "see the hope (God) instills in the students' eyes and the passion to mold young minds burning within the teachers' hearts." That passion for learning was instilled in Dyett and fellow eighth-grader Michael Richardson, who are the first recipients of the Timothy M. Williamson Memorial Scholarship. The award - $1,250 each in direct tuition assistance - was presented to the students during Mass Feb. 1. Tim Williamson, a graduate of St. Jude the Apostle School and Marist School, both in Atlanta, died of cancer in December 2000 at the age of 27. His family established the scholarship in his memory in an effort to continue his passion for Catholic education. The Mass, celebrated by Sts. Peter and Paul Church pastor Father Richard Wise, was the finale to an event-packed Catholic Schools week, and was also celebrated in honor of the students' grandparents, many of whom attended. In his homily, Father Wise told the students they are receiving a "foundation for life" in their Catholic education. "Here you can grow in the image of Jesus-that is the sole purpose of Catholic schools, because Jesus is the source and reason for everything we do in Catholic schools," he said. At the end of the Mass, St. Peter Claver's principal Queen Grady introduced Dyett, who shared her feelings about Catholic education. For as long as she can remember, she said, she has attended a Catholic school. "Catholic education is much more than just a building, desks and chairs," she said. "It is the strong beliefs and our Catholic foundation that works its way into the schools each day. As a Catholic I pride myself in taking an extra fulfilling step in my youth, by further enhancing my Christian knowledge and going to Catholic school." Dyett continued, "I understand each day how lucky and fortunate I am for being able to rejoice in the Lord with my peers each morning," she told those gathered for the Mass. "... not everyone is given the blessing or opportunity to attend a Catholic school. I feel that I have grown wiser and more understanding because of my Catholic education." Kathi Stearns, vice-chancellor of the archdiocese, introduced the Williamson family, and said she looked forward to a long relationship between them and the school. "We are delighted that the family has chosen to fund a scholarship at St. Peter Claver Regional School every year," she said. "We are blessed with the Williamson family who is here today to present the award. We ask that you remember Tim Williamson and pray for the repose of his soul, and that you remember the family in your prayers daily." Scott Williamson said that his brother believed strongly in Catholic education. "He gained an appreciation of how important Catholic education is and he understood that the values and knowledge you learn here at St. Peter Claver and other Catholic schools are something you take with you all your life," he said. He said that they received 15 applications and that the decision was not an easy one. "We were very excited and we hope to receive many more in the years to come," he said. "They were all great and it was a very difficult decision. I reviewed them, my sister, Megan, reviewed them and we talked to some of your teachers and to Mrs. Grady." When Richardson and Dyett were announced as the winners, they came forward, with their parents, to receive their reward. After giving the winning students one of her trademark hugs, Grady told the rest of the students that one day, they could receive the same scholarship. "It just shows that hard work and making good choices eventually pays off," she said. Yvonne Dyett described her daughter as "always looking for that 'A.'" "She is very competitive. She's always studying and she loves to read and she loves to write. She's a published poet," she said. "She has always made me proud." Michael's mother, Tresia Jackson, said that he is very inquisitive. "He asks a lot of questions," she said. "He loves to do research. He is the kind of person who is very quiet and very shy. He's the kind of student who doesn't talk much. He's looking forward to going to high school next year." Jackson said that her son will attend Our Lady of Mercy High School in Fairburn. She has been through a lot with her three children, one of whom has recovered from cancer. She said that she was looking forward to sharing the news of Michael's scholarship with her daughter, who attends St. Pius X High School in Atlanta. "I know what she'll say," Jackson said. "She'll say 'I told you, Mom. If you pray hard, miracles do happen.'"