BAKER, Fla. — A Baker High School graduate has received the 2026 Roy Warner Memorial Scholarship, a $1,500 award recognizing students pursuing careers in the skilled trades.
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Frances Roy Agency announced that Jayden Wasson was selected for the scholarship, which honors students pursuing trade-based careers that require hands-on skills, discipline, and a commitment to service.
Wasson graduated Cum Laude with a 3.8 GPA while gaining hands-on experience during two summers with Walton County Public Works and the county’s Facility Maintenance Department. He plans to attend trade school to study building and construction, and recently accepted his first full-time position with Walton County.
According to the agency, Wasson hopes to become a fourth-generation county employee, continuing a family tradition of public service. The agency said his trade school tuition is already covered, and the scholarship will pay for his books, allowing him to attend trade school free of charge.
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“Jayden Wasson embodies the very spirit of the Roy Warner Memorial Scholarship: humility, hard work, perseverance, and pride in serving his community. In a world that often overlooks the trades, Jayden has chosen a path built on discipline and craftsmanship,” said Shantelle Dedicke, president of Frances Roy Agency.
“My grandfather believed in the dignity of honest work and in the excellence of mastering a craft, and Jayden embodies those values wholeheartedly. We are proud to support someone who is not only building a career but building a future through determination and heart.”
In his winning scholarship essay, Wasson wrote, “I felt a sense of purpose knowing that my work made a difference.”
The Roy Warner Memorial Scholarship was established in 2024 to support students pursuing trade school education in fields requiring hands-on skills, discipline, and a commitment to service, including healthcare, construction, and the creative trades. It is named for Roy Warner, Dedicke’s grandfather, whose legacy as a craftsman and family man continues to shape the agency.
Applications for the 2027 Roy Warner Memorial Scholarship will open in fall 2026. More information is available at the Frances Roy Agency website.
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