Sponsor for the Scholarship is Former Player Mr. James Kelly, Owner Kelly Landscapes Management of Dallas, Georgia 2016-17 Coach Ken Phillips Memorial Scholarship Recipient #4 Isaiah Toussaint, Paulding County High School

Paulding County High School’s Isaiah Toussaint received the Coach Ken Phillips Memorial Scholarship for 2016-17. Congratulations Isaiah! You had an awesome high school career, and now we celebrate your academic successes at Florida Atlantic University.
Beginning in 2006, the football coaches or athletic directors from each high school submit a letter of recommendation for a football player for the Coach Ken Phillips Memorial Scholarship. Coach Phillips was a person who struggled academically and never planned on pursuing a college degree. His principal, teachers, and coaches recognized his tremendous athletic talent and amazing social skills. They pushed him academically to reach beyond what he thought was possible so that he could play college football. Coach Phillips used that opportunity to obtain a college degree and began his teaching and coaching career. He made a huge impact on the lives of many, many people not only in the schools but in the community as well.
“Big Daddy” as his players lovingly referred to him, was the head coach for a record 90 wins at PCHS and led the program to its first winning season in 1980. Coach Phillips was a man of great heart, humor, wisdom, and compassion who just happened to be a pretty good football coach.

Back Row: PCHS Head Coach Van Spence, Scholarship Recipient Isaiah Toussaint, James Kelly owner of Kelly Landscapes Management, Annelle Phillips, Kenzie Jay Gresham and Kenelle Phillips Gresham Kneeling: Bode Spence and Kent Gresham

When looking at candidates for the Coach Ken Phillips Memorial Scholarship, our committee looks for the following characteristics:

• Limited scholarship funds
• Impeccable character
• Good work ethic
• Over-achiever
• Senior football player
• College-bound

The following is an excerpt from Paulding County High’s Head Football Coach Van Spence:
“The Paulding County High School football program would like to nominate Isaiah Toussaint for the Coach Ken Phillips Memorial Scholarship. As I read through the criteria for this honor, there was no doubt in my mind who the recipient should be. Isaiah has battled through many obstacles and adversity in his life. In today’s society, many people give up, but in the most unfortunate circumstances, Isaiah has continued to strive to reach his ultimate goals. Isaiah has recently been accepted to Florida Atlantic University and will pursue a career in Engineering. Everything Isaiah has received, he has worked for because of his impeccable character and work-ethic are unmatched on the campus of PCHS. Often seen helping others and volunteering his time around campus, Isaiah also finds time to be driven in the weight room. His efforts in the weight room this past year allowed him to earn the Iron Man Award for our football program. With all the above said, it is easy to see that he is an overachiever. I love to label players as a person that gives relentless effort in all things, this is Isaiah Toussaint. Isaiah played wide receiver and linebacker for our PC Patriots. Lastly, Isaiah has done so much during his time at PCHS, helped so many, and put himself in a position to change his life forever. I highly recommend and without any reservation nominate Isaiah Toussaint for the Ken Phillips Scholarship.”

Isaiah’s big brother Mark received this scholarship in 2014 and now the younger brother holds the same bragging rights! This is the first time in the lifetime of this scholarship that brothers have received this scholarship. Congratulations Isaiah and continue to make Paulding County PROUD at Florida Atlantic University.