Gavin Peacock, a member of the 2025 graduating class of Crisp County High School, was nominated and selected to receive the Crisp County High School Class of 1965 scholarship from the South Georgia Technical College Foundation. The scholarship can be utilized for tuition, books, supplies, on-campus housing, and educational tools while he pursues his education at South Georgia Technical College.
Alumni of the Crisp County High School Class of 1965 set up the scholarship at South Georgia Technical College as a meaningful way to give back to their community. The scholarship is awarded annually and is open to members of the current graduating class of Crisp County High School who choose to further their education at South Georgia Technical College.
Gavin Peacock graduated from Crisp County High School this year.
Peacock plans to enroll in the SGTC Welding and Joining Technology program this fall. He self-described himself as an “odds beater” because he has been able to overcome many challenges throughout his life.
He is thankful for his wonderful parents, his mom, Christy Peacock, and his dad, Larry Felton, and his big family that includes nine brothers and three sisters. He faced a life-altering condition known as ‘Shaken Baby Syndrome’ from the time he was a baby.
“I was in a vegetative state – I couldn’t control my body, the retinas in my eyes were damaged, and the doctors said I would never be able to see, speak, or walk,” wrote Peacock in his essay applying for the scholarship. “But I defied those expectations. Through therapy, determination, and the love of my family, I now see clearly, walk on my own, and speak without difficulty. I, Gavin Peacock, am proud to be an odd beater.”
Throughout all 12 years of school, Peacock used his past trauma as a motivation to overcome obstacles and succeed. “With God’s grace, I have stayed focused and driven. I’ve maintained passing grades and good behavior throughout my academic journey. Being an ‘odd-beater’ means pushing forward even when it feels impossible,” said Peacock.
To prepare himself for college and beyond, Peacock took JROTC courses. “JROTC helped me come out of my shell, taught me maturity, and developed my leadership skills. I’ve also been involved in agricultural work with pigs, participated in the Raider Team and competed at the state level. I gained hands-on experience with welding in Mr. Dixon’s class. These experiences have shaped who I am today.”
Peacock also worked with his dad’s company doing construction, carpentry, remodeling, lawn care, and drywall outside of school. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, video games and fixing things around the house. These activities have helped him stay grounded and gave him an outlet from the trauma of his earlier years.
Gavin Peacock thanked the members of the Crisp County High School Class of ’65 for providing this scholarship. “I am very thankful for the opportunity to receive this scholarship and with your help, this scholarship will help me continue building a future filled with purpose, guided by the respect, discipline, and leadership I’ve gained through JROTC and my life experiences.
“Without God and the opportunities, I have been given, I wouldn’t be the ‘odd beater’ I am today. This is my story and the foundation of goals I plan to build upon to achieve me dreams,” added Peacock.
The Crisp County High School Class of 65 initiated this scholarship program 23 years ago when they returned to Cordele for a class reunion. Susan Owens Stripling, along with Patti Bridges Dash and Stella Williams Bailey were the guiding forces behind the scholarship efforts. They decided to enlist the support of their classmates to establish a fund to aid students who wanted to attend South Georgia Technical College after high school graduation. The former CCHS students were successful in securing enough donations from classmates to establish a scholarship endowment fund with the SGTC Foundation.