The Original Oyster House awarded the 13th Annual Chelsea Garvin Spirit Scholarships to Ford Taylor of Bayside Academy and Abi Waller of Fairhope High School. For a second straight year, winners were awarded from the same high schools.
In 2006, the scholarship was created in loving memory of Chelsea Garvin, who was an exceptional employee, a volunteer Fish River Fire Department Rescue Diver and a talented artist. Tragically Chelsea lost her life in a boating accident while volunteering. She was 19 years old.
Ford Taylor will attend Auburn University this fall and Abi Waller will attend Birmingham Southern College and both intend to pursue art as an area of interest.
“It’s such a hard decision when we have so many applicants who are unbelievably talented and creative. However, the scholarship criteria states, “highest consideration will be for the most creative representation of the Original Oyster House restaurants” which helps hone in the selection. This year five members on the committee unanimously chose the oyster boat made by Ford and the oyster painting made by Abi, although, it took us a while. Both applicants wrote they wanted to pursue art as a passion and it showed in what they submitted,” said Cecilia Mace, marketing director for the Original Oyster House restaurants.
The winning artworks will be displayed in both Original Oyster House restaurants for local patrons and visitors from all over the country to enjoy. The winners were given $1,000 each as well as restaurant gift certificates to see first-hand their artwork displayed with family and friends.
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 desserts including its famous peanut butter chocolate chip pie.
The Original Oyster House has two locations, Mobile: 3733 Battleship Parkway, on the Causeway and Gulf Shores: 701 Hwy 59 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 35 years. For more information about Original Oyster House, visit www.originaloysterhouse.com or call 251-928-2620.
The 2018 Chelsea Garvin Spirit Scholarship winner Ford Taylor of Bayside Academy is pictured holding his award-winning oyster boat. Taylor will be attending Auburn University in the fall.
The 2018 Chelsea Garvin Spirit Scholarship winner Abi Waller of Fairhope High School is pictured holding her artwork. Waller will be attending Birmingham Southern this fall.