The Outer Banks Community Foundation awarded $192,000 in scholarships this spring, including over $55,000 to students from Hatteras Island, helping students from across the Outer Banks achieve their educational dreams.
30 graduating seniors from Cape Hatteras Secondary School, Manteo High School, Currituck County High School, Ocracoke School, and First Flight High School received scholarships for the 2019-2020 academic year. Of these students, ten received awards that are renewable for up to four years of college.
In addition to these awards, the Community Foundation has also renewed financial support to 19 current college students who earned multi-year scholarships.
The Community Foundation launched multiple new scholarship programs this year. In memory of local education advocate and the first female board member of the Community Foundation, the Josephine A. Oden Scholarship is a four-year, $20,000 award for students from Hatteras Island. The scholarship was awarded to Cape Hatteras Secondary School senior Nyah Machie.
“To me, receiving this award meant I was one step closer to taking my life to the next level by attending college,” Machie said. “I had gone through so many moments where I completely gave up on the idea of college because I never thought I would be able to afford it. Receiving this award was the extra kick I needed to remind myself that anything you put your mind to is possible, and to never, ever give up.”
The Elizabeth and Wayne Evans Scholarship is a four-year, $10,000 award for nursing students from the Outer Banks with demonstrated financial need. The scholarship, inspired by the generosity Elizabeth Evans was shown as a young nursing student, was awarded to senior Josefine Harmon of Cape Hatteras Secondary School. Harmon also received the Mabel O. Cooper Scholarship and the Greg and Eden Honeycutt Scholarship.
Cape Hatteras Secondary School senior Betty Chen received the R. Stewart Couch Hatteras Island Scholarship, an $8,500 award.
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 Lorelei Costa at 252-261-8839, or donate to an existing fund online at www.obcf.org/donate.
The Outer Banks Community Foundation is a public charity that connects people who care with causes that matter. The Community Foundation manages $17 million in 185 charitable funds for individuals and agencies, awards charitable grants to local nonprofits, administers 50 scholarship programs, and provides tailored services to help donors pursue their charitable interests. Since its inception in 1982, the Community Foundation has awarded over $9 million in grants and scholarships to local nonprofits and students. Anyone can establish a scholarship endowment with the Community Foundation, or contribute to one of our existing scholarship funds. For more information, call 252-261-8839 or visit www.obcf.org.
