Dr. James and Charleen Furr Schrock are this week’s Picayune Item Everyday Heroes. On Monday, October 1st, the couple donated $50,000 to the Picayune School District for scholarships for college-bound seniors.

Picayune School District Superintendent Dean Shaw said, “The Shrock’s have made donations in the past which have given financial assistance and educational opportunities to student who leave Picayune Memorial High School in good academic standing and who are planning to further their education at the University or Community College level.”

Dr. Schrock said of the donation, “We both graduated from PMHS and appreciate the advantage that a good, basic education can provide. We know what a financial struggle it is for some families to get students through high school. We want to support students who put forth effort but may be in jeopardy of furthering their education due to lack of financial resources.”

The Schrocks have been married for 63 years and as Charleen Schrock will tell you, they have been together since she was in kindergarten.

Both are very active in the community and education is important to the couple. In 1999, they established the Dr. and Mrs. James Schrock Perpetual Scholarship Fund for high school graduates who are interested in pre-dental, pre-medical school or a health profession. Both are active in the inner workings of Crosby Memorial Library. Dr. Schrock is chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Pearl River County Library System and Charleen is on the board of Friends of the Crosby Memorial Library. He is also a valued member of the board for the Senior Center for Lower Pearl River County, a Mason and a Shriner.

They are very active in the Lions Clubs on the local, state and international levels. Through the Lions Clubs the couple have traveled to England, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia to name just a few of the 19 international conventions they have taken part in.

He has been inducted into the Miss. Lions Hall of Fame and he has served for years on the Miss. Lions All State Band Committee as well as the Peace Poster committee. The couple are very proud of the success that local children have had through the Lions’ organization and reminds readers that 100 percent of all fundraising profits goes directly back into the community.

The couple have two sons both are dentists and four grandchildren — one of whom is a dentist. They have one great-grandson. They attend First Baptist Church on Goodyear Boulevard where Mrs. Schrock taught Sunday School for many years.

Shaw says, “Without generous donations from private citizens like Dr. and Mrs. Schrock, it would not be possible for many students to further their education.

“Seniors at PMHS who are interested in applying for either this or any other scholarships are encouraged to visit the PMHS website: www.edline.net. There is a link to the application for this and all available scholarships through the Guidance Counselor section near the bottom of the home page.”

The scholarship will be awarded the Monday prior to graduation on Thursday.