Frances Roy Agency has named Jayden Wasson, a recent graduate of Baker High School, as the 2026 recipient of the Roy Warner Memorial Scholarship.
- The $1,500 award supports students pursuing trade-based careers that require hands-on skill, discipline and a commitment to service — values the scholarship’s namesake carried throughout his life.
Wasson graduated cum laude with a 3.8 GPA while spending two summers working with Walton County Public Works and the Facility Maintenance Department. He plans to attend trade school to pursue formal education in building and construction.
On the day he learned of the award, he was signing paperwork to accept his first full-time position with the county.
- For Wasson, the career path carries personal weight. He is set to become a fourth-generation county employee, a goal he said he has worked toward deliberately by balancing academic achievement with real-world experience.
The Roy Warner Memorial Scholarship was the only scholarship Wasson applied for. With his trade school tuition already covered, the award will pay for his books, allowing him to attend completely free of charge.
“Jayden Wasson embodies the very spirit of the Roy Warner Memorial Scholarship: humility, hard work, perseverance, and pride in serving his community,” said Shantelle Dedicke, President of Frances Roy Agency. “In a world that often overlooks the trades, Jayden has chosen a path built on discipline and craftsmanship. 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 essay, Wasson wrote, “I felt a sense of purpose knowing that my work made a difference.”
The scholarship was established in 2024 to support students pursuing trade school education in fields requiring hands-on skills and a commitment to service, including healthcare, construction and the creative trades. It is named for Dedicke’s grandfather, Roy Warner, whose legacy as a craftsman and family man continues to shape the agency that bears his name.
Applications for the 2027 Roy Warner Memorial Scholarship will open in fall 2026. More information is available at www.francesroy.com.
