GA Division Scholarship Recipient Skylar Patten Aims for Goal at Toccoa Falls College

Jan 15, 2025

By Cindy Baugher

For Skylar Patten, a 2024 graduate of Union Grove High School, basketball has been a way of life for many years now. After starting out at age five in the Upward basketball program through Glen Haven Baptist Church, she went on to play throughout middle and high school. She and her team earned their way to the regional championship twice and made a state appearance in all four years of her high school career. In her junior and senior years, the team even made it to the elite eight while Skylar served as captain of her team in her senior year.

Skylar at graduation

Now that she’s graduated and high school ball is over, Skylar has leveraged her athletic skills into a basketball scholarship at Georgia’s Toccoa Falls College. She is majoring in business and marketing with plans for a concentration in sports media and marketing. Her goal is to eventually work with a sports team and be a part of their marketing staff.

Skylar takes a shot

Basketball, however, is not the only arena where Skylar has excelled. Because of her outstanding resume, Skylar has earned a Georgia division scholarship through the Police Benevolent Foundation. When considering her accomplishments, it’s easy to understand why. She was a member of her high school track and field team during her freshman and sophomore years. While enrolled in honors and AP level classes, she maintained a high GPA, was a member of the Beta club and led the school’s FCA group. In addition, she has volunteered her time serving with several worthy charities: the Miles for Meals Walk, Meals on Wheels, Helping in His Name Food Bank, and, through her involvement in the school’s Partners Club, Special Olympics.

Skylar’s Christian faith is important to her. She considers her life verse to be Luke 12:48, “To whom much is given, much is required.” Skylar said, “It’s a verse my grandfather lived by, and he influenced my life in a major way. He was hardworking, and one of my biggest supporters.” Sadly, he passed away about the same time that she started seventh grade.

It’s clear that Skylar has taken that Bible verse to heart as she’s played an active volunteer role in her church as well. At age 14, she helped people in Honduras on a mission trip and works annually with children at the church’s vacation Bible school events.

Skylar and her family at graduation

Family is important to Skylar, and she describes her three siblings, an older brother, sister, and a younger sister, as “extremely close.” The family lives on a farm in McDonough, GA where her mother works with a construction firm. Her father, Ronald Patten, is an SRO with the Henry County Police Department who enjoys serving as a positive role model for the younger generation. Skylar sees him as a man trying to make a difference in the lives of many. She said she appreciates her father’s efforts to “show our basketball community that being a police officer is not a bad thing.”

Three Rivers (PBA of GA) Chapter President Jeffrey Perkins presents Skylar’s scholarship check to her.  Also, pictured are Skylar’s parents, Ronald and Denise.

‘Grateful’ is the word Skylar uses to sum up her feelings for the PBF scholarship. She noted, “Toccoa Falls College is a private college, and it receives less funding than other colleges. Because of its financial status, it cannot give out full scholarships.” She continued, “I’m grateful for this scholarship; it will help me continue the education I need to later help young athletes such as myself.”