Theatre scholarship established for CHS seniors

CHIPLEY – A new scholarship is available for Chipley High School graduating seniors who have excelled in the theatre program.

The Marsha Kent-Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship has been established to honor the memory of former CHS theatre student Marsha Kent-Rodriguez, who passed away Jan. 23, 2022.

Marsha was a member of the CHS Class of 2000 and went on to star in several theatrical productions as an adult after getting her start in theatre at Chipley High School. Of all her theatre troupes, Kent-Rodriguez was especially fond of Tallahassee’s famed Mickee Faust Club.

“Marsha came and played with us at the Mickee Faust [show] ‘Academy for the Really Dramatic Arts’,” said co-star Marce Mullins. “I was lucky enough to be in a Star Trek skit with her. What a joy that was.”

The scholarship was established by Kent-Rodriguez’s sister, Carol Kent Wyatt. Wyatt says she knows her sister would have wanted to inspire and help other young actors.

“Marsha had such a passion for the arts,” said Wyatt. “She never forgot where she came from, though, where she first learned of her love for theatre, and that was on the Chipley High School stage. I will never forget watching her perform as Emily in ‘Our Town,’ first at CHS and then at Chipola College. In those moments, she truly became Emily. I rarely missed one of my sister’s shows, but seeing her in that role will always be among my favorite memories.”

The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student selected by the CHS theatre program, which is under the direction of Kevin Russell.