Hartselle High School senior Dominique Billups receives a GI Bill scholarship from Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jason Ferguson at Awards Day. | Clif Knight

Scholarship offers totaling $3.5 million were extended to Hartselle High School’s 2011 graduating seniors at an Awards Day program in the Pettey Center last week.

While previous classes have garnered offers with a higher dollar value, this year’s class is small in comparison, with about 195 graduation candidates.

Principal Jeff Hyche opened the program by welcoming guests, thanking parents for their mentorship and support and applauding members of the senior class.

“You are an excellent class,” he told the seniors, “and I know great things are in store for you in the future.”

Representatives from 10 universities were present to announce the recipients of scholarships from their respective schools and present them with their awards. The Marine Corps and the Air Force were also represented as well as several other local organizations that give scholarships each year.

Guidance counselors Johnny Berry and Kenneth Lopez presented scholarships in behalf of colleges not represented at the event.

Attending the program were parents of the seniors and members of the junior class.

Hope Lewis had scholarship offers from 15 different sources, the most of any senior. Hannah Clardy and Laken Hamilton followed with nine each, Bill Fulmer had eight offers and Noah Battles and Chanler Crowe each had seven.