FERRIDAY — Kennedy Poole went from nervous to excited to honored in a matter of minutes.

Poole, a senior at Monterey High School, was one of four local students who was recognized for her civic and academic achievements Thursday afternoon by the Ferriday Rotary Club.

The students were presented with the $1,500 Ben K. Green scholarship at the club’s weekly meeting.

The four students were selected from 19 area applicants and were awarded the scholarships based on ACT scores, grade point averages, civic and community involvement and a short essay they were required to submit.

This year’s essay theme was “Mankind is our business,” which is a quote from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

It was Poole’s essay that began her roller-coaster ride of emotions.

“I was really nervous at first, because I thought I was going to have to read my essay in front of everyone,” Poole said. “After that, I was excited and honored to have been chosen for the scholarship.”

Ferriday High School student Kiana Rachelle Henderson, Vidalia High School student Laura Ann Perilloux and Cathedral High School student Sela Marie Roberts were also awarded the scholarships.

The annual scholarships are normally given to students in Concordia Parish schools. Current Ferriday Rotary President Jeri Sue Tosspon said the club decided to extend its reach this year with an at-large scholarship for students who live in Concordia Parish, but attend school across the river in Natchez.

Roberts said she was honored to receive the club’s first at-large scholarship.

“It was really a surprise to me, because I knew this was the first year they’ve done the scholarship for our schools,” Roberts said. “I’m just honored to have been selected for this scholarship.”

Henderson said she was also nervous and excited to receive the scholarship, but also said the funds would help next year when she begins studying at the University of Louisiana Monroe.

Perilloux said having her essay read aloud was by far the most nerve-racking part of the entire experience.

“I didn’t know they were going to read it out loud, so that was kind of a surprise,” Perilloux said, laughing. “It’s nice to be recognized with this scholarship, and every little bit of money will help.”

The Ben K. Green scholarship is an endowed, yearly scholarship given by the Ferriday Rotary Club in memory of Green, who was superintendent of schools in Concordia Parish from 1969 until his death in 1978.

Before he was superintendent, Green taught at Ferriday Elementary School, where he eventually became principal.