McCallister receives Biletnikoff Scholarship

Graceville School Senior Thomas “Trant” McCallister has been awarded the Connie Barnes Commemorative Biletnikoff Scholarship. The prestigious scholarship is presented by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club to several seniors throughout the State of Florida. The recipients are chosen based on their academics and extra-curricular as well as a personal essay. Trant is the third of his siblings to receive this prestigious award.

The son of April and Keith Pelham, Trant has a weighted GPA of 4.5. He not only excelled academically in school, but he also spent many hours participating in extra-curricular activities including Marching Band, Concert Band, Baseball, Cross Country, manager for softball and basketball, Senior Beta Key Club, FFA, SGA 1 year, FFEA, and was a member of the Mattox MOD Squad 2024. After graduating from Graceville, Trant plans to finish his associate in science at Chipola, then transfer to FSU-PC and obtain his bachelor’s in social work with a final goal to work as a child protective investigator.

The essay for the Biletnikoff Scholarship is one of the most important parts of the application process. When asked what Trant chose to write about and why, he commented, “Well to put it simply all of the essays focus on a hardship you had to of overcame and academically persevered because of it. I wrote about my childhood experiences with parents [dealing with drug abuse, child protective services, and depression]. I chose to write about these experiences to show my motivation for why I want to work towards helping children who are in the same shoes I once was in. I also wrote about how all through school I’ve suffered from bullying and that it never stopped even after I stood up for myself and how I never let it define me but instead motivate me to be the best me.”

In his essay, Trant wrote, “Andy Andrews once said that ‘Adversity is preparation for greatness.’ In my life I have overcome many obstacles to get to where I am.” He went on to write directly about those experiences including losing both his parents in one single day due to crime activity and witnessing his parents deal with depression in the most heart wrenching way as well as dealing with being bullied at school for his appearance and voice.

He finished his essay writing, “I have chosen not to let [those experiences] define me. Instead, I channel those experiences into motivation, using them as a driving force to exceed expectations and prove to myself that I am stronger and more resilient than the words of those who seek to bring me down.” He concluded, “Dieter F. Uchtdorf said that ‘It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life story will develop.’ This quote shows how when you have an adversity in your life you do not let it dictate how you live your life. As you can tell I am living proof of this and with this scholarship I plan to further my education and obtain a bachelor’s degree in social work and become a voice for children like me by becoming a child protective investigator.”

PHOTO CUTLINE: Trant McCallister is pictured at the 2024 Biletnikoff Awards Banquet with his fellow scholarship recipients. McCallister is positioned center-right in the photo.

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