The Original Oyster House awarded its 18th Annual Chelsea Garvin Spirit Scholarships to Maggie Britt of Bayside Academy and Alice Raybosh of Fairhope High School. Britt plans to attend Mississippi State University and Raybosh plans to attend Auburn University this fall.
In 2006, the scholarship was founded in loving memory of Chelsea Garvin, who was an exceptional employee, a volunteer Fish River Fire Department Rescue Diver and a talented artist. Tragically at age 19, Chelsea died in a boating accident while volunteering.
This year’s awardees reflect Chelsea Garvin’s spirit and artistic talent. Britt submitted a multimedia piece with brilliant colors finished with an epoxy resin. Drawing from her rich heritage, her application stood out. “I am the 5th generation of women living on Mobile Bay. The water is my happy place. I have memories of making projects with my grandmother out of oyster shells and other bay articles. Seafood plays a major role in our family gatherings, from catching, to cooking and eating,” said Britt.
Raybosh’s stunning textural oyster earned the most votes from this year’s scholarship committee. Her community work also made an impact. “I am very dedicated to volunteer work in my community especially with the youth. Previous volunteer projects have included youth lacrosse coach, assistant teacher to an elementary classroom as well as a tutor,” wrote Raybosh.
The winning artworks will be on display at both Original Oyster House locations for patrons and tourists to enjoy.
The Original Oyster House has become the “must-go-to” place for great fresh Gulf seafood, service and Southern hospitality and for its panoramic locations. A top-spot for hand-shucked and fire-grilled oysters, the Original Oyster House has also become legendary for its homemade gumbo, cheesy grits with blackened shrimp as well as handcrafted cocktails and desserts including its famous peanut butter chocolate chip pie. Having been the first restaurant in the state to pilot the Oyster Recycling Shell program, the Original Oyster House supports the sustainability of oysters and is one of the only restaurants to [oyster garden], grow stocker oysters to refurbish the reef.
The Original Oyster House has two locations, Mobile: 3733 Battleship Parkway, on the Causeway and Gulf Shores: 701 Gulf Shores Parkway on the Original Oyster House Boardwalk. Both locations offer spectacular waterfront views, private party rooms and have been celebrated as the area’s finest family restaurants for the past 40 years. For more information about Original Oyster House, visit www.originaloysterhouse.com or call 251-928-2620.
Pictured from left are the 2023 Chelsea Garvin Spirit Scholarship Awardees Maggie Britt, Bayside Academy senior and Alice Raybosh, Fairhope High School senior. Both women reflect the spirit of Chelsea Garvin, who was a talented artist, an exceptional employee and a Fish River Fire Dept. volunteer. In 2005, Garvin died while volunteering in a boating accident. The scholarship was founded in her honor in 2006.
