Joshua’s Hands is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2024 A Servant’s Heart Scholarship -- which was established to recognize a youth volunteer who goes above and beyond in the giving of their time and talents.

Michael Patrick Staton (TECH - Homeschool) is currently dual enrolled at NOVA and will finish his second semester soon after he graduates high school. His goal is to earn a degree in Cyber Security.

Michael is industrious and motivated. He has served at his church (Cornerstone Chapel) as an A/V tech since 2018. He has worked at Chick-fil-A since 2022. He has also worked seasonally with American Majority. All this is in an effort to pay his own way through college without taking out loans. Somehow, he managed to find the time to also serve on TECH’s Student Council, help raise $10,000 in donations for the LoCo Homeless Shelter and earn the President's Volunteer Service Gold Award.

Michael has learned to balance work, school and service –  not an easy task but a valiant one. As Ronald Reagan once said, “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”

In recognition of his heart for service, Joshua’s Hands is pleased to award this year’s $2500 A Servant’s Heart Scholarship to Michael Staton.

Joshua's Hands was established in 1999 in memory of Joshua Guthrie, who was an enthusiastic community volunteer.  Joshua’s years of service were cut short by his death at the age of 16.  Joshua’s Hands seeks to continue to be his hands of service in the community and to encourage others to serve. 

In addition to its annual Fall Festival, American Heritage Education programs - which include its Valiant Warrior Quilts, community service and teen safe driving education, the organization offers A Servant's Heart Scholarship. In the past, the scholarship was essay-based. This year the organization opted to select a volunteer who has risen to the surface as the cream of the crop, firstly with Joshua’s Hands, but also with other organizations in our community.

To date, the organization has awarded more than $40,000 in scholarships, starting with $500 scholarships in the first year and $1000 scholarships thereafter. This year’s scholarship is the largest ever awarded –  $2500.