Canadian County Democrats award three $500 scholarships

YUKON, Okla. — The Canadian County Democrats awarded three $500 Robert “Bob” Burton scholarships in early June to a trio of outstanding Democratic students: Darius Moore from El Reno, and Claire Jones and Brennan Bratcher, both from Yukon.

Democrats have awarded the scholarships for 14 years in honor of their deceased county vice chair who encouraged young Democrats to become active in the party.

The three scholarships given in 2021 are the most ever awarded thanks to a generous contribution by an anonymous donor.

Darius Moore graduated from El Reno High School with a 3.63 grade point average in 2021. He will attend Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami on a football scholarship with plans to study kinesiology, physical therapy or sports medicine. He is the son of Tanya Fisher and the late Darren Moore, grandson of Billy Fisher and the late Sheila Fisher, and great-grandson of Opal Fisher and the late Willie Fisher.

Moore, who currently works full-time for the City of El Reno, also earned the Ryan Tinsley Scholarship through the El Reno Foundation and the Honor Award through the American Legion.

“I am honored to have received the Canadian County Democrats’ Scholarship as my older brother, DeVante Moore, did in 2013,” Moore said. “I came from a background where when you start something, you must finish, which I learned from living with my mother and older brother”

Mustang High School graduate Claire Jones, a sophomore at the University of Oklahoma, was also a scholarship winner in 2020. She describes herself as a “lifelong Democrat,” who earned a 3.7 grade point average during her first year of university studies. She is pursuing a degree in secondary social studies education.

“I am thrilled to be chosen by the Canadian County Democrats’ Scholarship Committee,” Jones said.

Brennan Bratcher, age 21, grew up in Yukon and is chair of the Canadian County Young Democrats. He currently attends Oklahoma Community College in Oklahoma City where he is pursuing a degree in political science. He plans to transfer to the University of Oklahoma and attend law school in preparation for a career as a civil rights attorney. He would eventually like to run for public office.

“My life motto is a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt,” Bratcher said. “’The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.’”

Canadian County Democrats Secretary Shirley Burton chairs the scholarship committee with Vice Chair Dennis Purifoy and Laurie Hammons. Burton is the widow of Robert “Bob” Burton for whom the scholarship is named.

“After reviewing your completed application and considering your involvement in many Democratic activities, we agreed that you are very worthy to receive $500 to assist you in pursuing your college education,” Burton wrote to the scholarship award winners.

The Canadian County Democrats will begin meeting in person again at 7 p.m. on July 12, at the Yukon Police Department, training room,100 S. Ranchwood. The group plans to continue streaming the meeting on Zoom for who wish to participate via the Internet or telephone connections.

For more information about the Canadian County Democrats, visit Facebook @CanadianCoDems, Twitter @DemsCounty or phone 405-326-3600.

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