Sheriff Sam Craft announced that Micah Merchant of Vernon Parish has been named the recipient of an academic scholarship from the Louisiana Sheriff’s Scholarship Program for the 2025-2026 school year.

Micah resides in Hicks, Louisiana and plans to attend the University of Louisiana at Monroe and pursue Kinesiology as a field of study. Micah’s parents are Wade and Tara Merchant.

The Sheriff’s Scholarship is made possible by the Louisiana Sheriff’s Honorary Membership Program (LSHMP). Louisiana Sheriffs provide scholarships to graduating high school students from each parish where the Sheriff is an affiliate of the program.

Qualities such as academic achievement, leadership, and character are considered in making selections of Sheriff’s scholarship recipients. The only limitations are that applicants be permanent residents of Louisiana; scholarships be utilized in higher education within the State; and students be enrolled as full-time, undergraduate students. Scholarships will be awarded in sixty-four parishes throughout the state.

In closing Sheriff Craft said, “Academic awards by the Louisiana Sheriff’s Scholarship Program to Louisiana students demonstrate what the LSHMP is all about. This is one of our finest accomplishments. It invests in Louisiana’s future and gives something back to our community. This would not be possible without the kind and generous support of Vernon Parish’s Honorary Members.”

We would like to congratulate Micah on his graduation and his receipt of the LSHMP Scholarship.