The Greater Columbia Education Advancement Foundation (GCEAF) is a 501(C) 3 non-profit organization that sponsors the Chick-fil-A Classic Holiday Basketball Tournament each December. Richland Northeast High School of Richland School District Two serves as the host facility for the tournament.

 The Chick-fil-A Classic is a national level high school basketball tournament that features nationally ranked players and teams from across the nation. Each year we welcome over 300 visitors from out of state to our capital city to watch tomorrow stars today.

 The mission of the GCEAF is to provide educational scholarships to deserving high school seniors in the Greater Columbia area in addition to providing once-in-a-lifetime athletic experiences for the participating student-athletes, coaches, and fans. This past year we awarded $12,000 in scholarships.

 Students attending a high school in the Greater Columbia area that are interested in being considered for the GCEAF Scholarships should contact their school guidance counselor. The amount of each scholarship is $1,000. Letters will be sent in early February to these offices notifying them of the scholarships and procedures. The selections are made by the individual school’s Scholarship Committee. Local schools who participate in the tournament are guaranteed a scholarship.

 The criteria established by the GCEAF is:

• A minimum 3.0 overall grade point average
• At least 95% attendance in school
• Exhibits outstanding character and citizenship
• Involvement in interscholastic athletics

  All scholarships will be paid directly to the recipient’s college or university.

  Congratulations to last year’s scholarship winners! Below are the names of the students who received a $1,000 scholarship from the GCEAF.

• Laura Elizabeth Bennett - Hammond School
• Ashley Marie Boyd - Columbia High School
• James E. Crapps - White Knoll High School
• Baxter Lindsay Crawford IV - Heathwood Hall Episcopal School
• Roosevelt A.D. Corbett - W.J. Keenan High School
• Joshua Shane Donohue - Ridge View High School
• Briana P. Johnson - Irmo High School
• Brittani H. Minnieweather - Richland Northeast High School
• Sierrah L. Oates - Lower Richland High School
• Natalie M. Parkman - Swansea High School
• Charles C. White - Blythewood High School
• Anna Zwart - Gilbert High School