The Outer Banks Community Foundation awarded $191,100 in 76 scholarships to 56 students this spring, in a year of firsts for the Community Foundation’s expanding scholarship program.
This year, thirty-eight percent of graduation seniors receiving Community Foundation scholarships will be the first in their families to attend college. In addition, three newly-established scholarship programs have awarded their first scholarships to students who have completed two years of coursework at College of The Albemarle (COA) and are continuing their studies at four-year institutions. In total, seven scholarship awards were made in 2022 through new scholarship funds.
Scholarships were awarded to three COA students and 26 graduating seniors from Cape Hatteras Secondary School, Manteo High School, Currituck County High School, Ocracoke School, and First Flight High School. Of these students, 17 received awards that are renewable for up to four years of college. The Community Foundation also has renewed financial support to 26 current college students who earned multi-year scholarships.
Two new, renewable scholarship funds, the R. Wayne Gray Memorial Scholarship and the Hanft McDevitt Family Scholarship, plus an expansion of the renewable OBX Scholars Program, will help three COA graduates pursue four-year degrees this fall. Jeffrey Blake Gard is receiving the Hanft McDevitt Family Scholarship ($2,000 renewable) to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and pursue a Physics bachelor’s in science degree. Isabella Lettieri is receiving the OBX Scholars COA Scholarship ($2,000 renewable) to attend school at East Carolina University. Lane Stevenson is receiving the R. Wayne Gray Memorial Scholarship ($1,200 renewable) to attend Florida Gulf Coast University and complete a double major of Accounting and Finance.
“We are thankful to all of our scholarship donors, and especially grateful that two families who recognize the value of the Dare Guarantee, establishing funds to support students who will continue their work toward bachelor’s degree or higher,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Chris Sawin. “We’re thrilled to see so many first-generation college students being helped, too. Finally, we have tremendous appreciation for those generous families who created enhanced scholarship funds that provide $20,000 or more each year in renewable scholarships, to support students throughout their college career.”
Seven enhanced scholarship funds accounted for $91,800 in new and renewing scholarships this year, five of which were awarded to newly-selected graduating seniors.
The Milton A. Jewell Academic Scholarship, a four-year, $24,000 renewable scholarship, was awarded to Maggie McNinch, a First Flight High School graduating senior. Maggie is attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she plans to pursue a degree in Journalism.
The Jerry and Arlene Davis Scholarship, a four-year, $24,000 renewable scholarship, was awarded to Versailles D’Alessio, a First Flight High School graduating senior. Versailles will attend East Carolina University in the fall, where she plans to major in Psychology.
The Elizabeth and Wayne Evans Scholarship, a four-year, $20,000 renewable scholarship, was awarded to two students:
- Ana Karen Alvarez-Isidoro, a Manteo High School senior, is the first her family to go to college. She will attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
- Mya Salch, a First Flight High School Senior, will study nursing at East Carolina University. Mya also is a first-generation college student.
The R. Stewart Couch Hatteras Island Scholarship, a one-time, $8,800 award, went to Jose Briones Avila of Cape Hatteras Secondary School. Jose plans to study Culinary Arts at Wake Tech Community College. Jose also is a first-generation college student.
For a full list of scholarship recipients, please visit www.obcf.org/scholarships/recent-recipients.
Scholarship funds have been generously donated by individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, civic groups, and government agencies to help local students pursue higher education. Any community member can establish a scholarship fund with the Community Foundation by calling 252-261-8839, or can donate to an existing fund online at www.obcf.org/donate.
The Outer Banks Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization that connects people who care with causes that matter. Based in a historic flat top cottage in Southern Shores, the Community Foundation manages $25 million across more than 200 charitable funds for individuals and agencies, awards grants to nonprofits, manages more than 60 scholarship programs, and provides tailored services to help donors pursue their charitable interests. Since its inception in 1982, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $12 million in grants and scholarships to local nonprofits and students.
