Builder Helps College Bound Students
Over 1900 Middle Tennessee families call a John Maher Builders house their home. The company’s reputation is building, one house at a time.
Building futures one student at a time is also the reputation Maher is known for in Williamson County. Academic and athletic excellence has always mattered to this builder, who has been constructing homes in the Spring Hill community for almost three decades. In the late 1970s, Maher began his career as a teacher and coach in Franklin after playing football at Middle Tennessee State University.
His passion influenced his four children as evidenced by their active and competitive participation in sports both in high school and college, as well as their career choices. His oldest daughter was a member of the Blue Devils’ track and field team at Duke, where his son is currently a student and member of the track and field team. His other two daughters are now teachers in Williamson County, the youngest of which teaches where both her parents taught–in the Franklin Special School District.
It’s for these reasons John Maher is entering his 10th year as the title sponsor of the Williamson Herald’s John Maher Builders Scholar Athletes Program.
Each month during the school year, one male and one female Williamson County student-athlete is selected as Scholar Athlete of the Month. Winners are chosen from nominations made by coaches, principals and parents.
The Scholar Athlete of the Month exhibits Academic Achievement, Athletic Accomplishment and Community Service. Each winner is featured in a write-up with photos in the Herald and on the JMB website.
At the conclusion of every school year, the Herald hosts the annual John Maher Builders Scholar Athlete banquet. The monthly honorees along with their coaches and families are invited. Each student is recognized individually.
Perhaps the highlight of the night comes after each honoree attending puts his/her name in a hat. Each year Maher draws at least one male and one female name to receive a $2,000 scholarship. In recent years, he has typically given a pair of scholarships. However, this year Maher gave away two extra scholarships in memory of his father, who passed away in late spring, citing his father’s influence on his life and the importance of education. “He really set the stage and taught me how to be someone that would give back to the community,” Maher told the Herald. “It’s in his memory.”
The 2015 recipients of the $2,000 scholarship are Katie Kemp of Brentwood High, Korrie Sauder of Battle Ground Academy, Mason Foley of Page High and Josh Filbey of Franklin High.
