Hart County Chamber of Commerce Announces 2026 Nicki Meyer Scholarship Recipient

HARTWELL, Ga. — The Hart County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Connor Norris has been named the 2026 recipient of the Nicki Meyer Scholarship. The award was presented on April 29th during Senior Awards Night at the Lonnie Burns Fine Arts Center at Hart County High School.

The Nicki Meyer Scholarship honors the memory of former Chamber Executive Director Nicki Meyer, who served from 2012 to 2017 and dedicated herself to economic development, community investment, and the future of Hart County. Each year, a committee of local business owners and professionals who knew Nicki personally selects the recipient — not based on grades alone, but on entrepreneurial spirit, community involvement, and a genuine commitment to Hart County's future.

Connor Norris embodies every one of those qualities.

A senior at Hart County High School, Connor has spent the last several years building a career while finishing his education. He has worked in automotive repair, roadside assistance, and heavy-duty towing, and currently serves as a heavy-duty wrecker operator with Southland Towing and Recovery. This year, he became the first Hart County High School student to earn a Class A Commercial Driver's License before graduation, completing the CDL program through dual enrollment at Athens Technical College with a 4.0 GPA.

Connor's ambitions don't stop there. He has developed a full business plan for Lakeside Roadside Assistance, set to launch in Hart County this fall, with a long-term vision of growing into full towing and recovery operations by 2029. He is also a volunteer firefighter with the Hartwell Fire Department and has given back to his neighbors in concrete ways — spending two consecutive winter storms pulling stranded drivers out of icy conditions at no charge.

The scholarship was presented by Chamber President and CEO Amanda Brown, with remarks from Teresa Bishop, Work-Based Learning Coordinator at Hart County High School and Hart County College and Career Academy. Mrs. Bishop, who has worked alongside Connor throughout his high school career, spoke proudly about his character, his drive, and the young man she has watched grow into a capable and dependable professional.

"Connor is exactly who this scholarship was created for," said Amanda Brown. "He has worked hard, he has a plan, and he loves this community. We are proud to invest in his future."

The Nicki Meyer Scholarship is awarded annually to a Hart County High School senior who demonstrates entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to the community. For more information, visit hart-chamber.org.

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Contact: Amanda Brown, President & CEO, Hart County Chamber of Commerce | 706-376-8590