Timothy F. Watson, Sr., President of the Newport High School graduating class of 1962, has announced that the NHS Class of ‘62 has created a scholarship fund in memory of the late Beverly Tapp of Newport.

Scholarships will be awarded to Newport High School students showing high proficiency in English. Beverly Tapp was killed on Sept. 5, 2006, when a pick-up truck crashed into the side of the Newport Hardee’s Restaurant, where Mrs. Tapp and other teachers and friends were seated.

Beverly Tapp was a native of Newport, and a 1962 graduate of Newport High School. She was a 1966 graduate of Arkansas State University, where she was a member and past president of the Chi Omega sorority. Tapp taught English for the Tuckerman School District two years, and the Newport Special School District for 33 years prior to her retirement in May of 2006. While at Newport High School, Tapp also served as senior class and yearbook sponsor for several years. She was honored by being named Who’s Who Among American Teachers three times during her career.

“Beverly Tapp was one of the most beloved teachers in Newport High School history. My own two children, Tim, Jr. and Todd, absolutely adored “Miss Tapp,” as did hundreds of other students who were lucky enough to come into contact with her over the years,” said Watson. “Beverly was, of course, one of our favorite members of the class of 1962, and we want to do something to honor her, and something we believe she would be proud of. A scholarship for English students in her name is something we think she would be very happy about.”

The scholarship funds will be administered by the Northeast Arkansas Charitable Foundation of Newport. “Association with the Northeast Arkansas Charitable Foundation for our scholarship fund allows us to immediately accept gifts which will be tax exempt, because the Northeast Arkansas Charitable Foundation already has 501(c)(3) recognition. Also, the Northeast Arkansas Charitable Foundation has agreed to invest our funds, along with theirs, and to provide administrative oversight at no cost to the Tapp Scholarships. This assistance, which is greatly appreciated, will allow us to make the best possible use of funds donated: all the income will be paid to students in the form of Tapp Scholarships,” said Watson.

“Donations to the Tapp Scholarship Fund are not limited to members of the Newport High School Class of 1962, however,” Watson said, “and we encourage everyone who knew and loved Beverly and her family to contribute to this very worthy cause.”

Contributions may be made by sending checks payable to “The Northeast Arkansas Charitable Foundation, Beverly Tapp Memorial Scholarship Fund,” in care of the Merchants and Planters Bank of Newport, PO Box 650, Newport, AR 72112. All contributions are tax deductible. Further information may be obtained from Mr. Watson.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 27th, 2006 at 9:38 pm and is filed under Education, Scholarship. Tags: Scholarship, Student. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.