— Christian Myers was surprised and delighted that he had been chosen to be the first recipient of the Don Hendrix Memorial Scholarship.

“I am absolutely honored. Coach Hendrix is one of my heroes and I feel so blessed to play for and be mentored by such an amazing man,” Myers said.

When Hilldale’s former head football coach Don Hendrix passed away March 9, his family asked for donations to fund a scholarship.

Myers received the $1,000 scholarship at the Hilldale High School Senior Banquet Monday evening.

Coach Chad Kirkhart presented his award and talked about how Myers was the perfect fit for the scholarship.

“He’s a great kid. He’s exactly what this award is about,” Kirkhart said. “He’s a good student, has good character, a good Christian kid — everything Coach Hendrix wanted his players to be.”

Myers plans to attend James River Leadership College in Ozark, Mo., and earn a doctorate in psychology.

Out of 124 graduates this year, more than 60 received scholarships at Monday’s banquet.

Students planned to study to become everything from doctors to Broadway stars with the help of their scholarship money.

Cody Shellman and Richard Ross received the Montgomery G.I. Bill scholarship for $49,248.

Ross enlisted a year ago and heads to basic training July 6. He plans to use his scholarship money to earn a bachelor’s degree that enables him to achieve the rank of sergeant.

“I’m not really sure of my major yet. I’m training to be a combat engineer,” Ross said. “I intend for the Army to be my career.”

Casey Williamson received a scholarship to East Central University in Ada, and plans to become a chemical engineer. He hopes to go into pharmaceutical research and development someday, he said.

Stephanie Bolen received numerous scholarship awards Monday night, a President’s Leadership award for $22,400, music scholarship for singing at Northeastern State University, the Janet C. Zink Scholarship from the Girls Scouts of America, and $1,000 from East Central Electric.

“I’m hoping to get on Broadway, but a drama teacher is what I’ll settle for,” Bolen said about her future plans.

Sherman Riddle was awarded the Gates Millennium Scholarship that gives him a full ride, including room and board, to the University of Oklahoma to study pre-med.

Riddle, an Eagle Scout, has been active in his church and community, he said.

“And biology has always been a passion of mine,” Riddle said.

His parents, both educators, were beaming with pride Monday night.

“I’m so proud of him because he has overcame Asperger’s Syndrome to do this,” his mother Janie Riddle said. “It is so awesome to overcome that and be honest about writing about it as he did to apply for this scholarship.”

In all, more than 77 scholarships were awarded to the Hilldale High School graduating class of 2010.