$12,500 awarded to college students with variety of backgrounds, diverse goals
MURRELLS INLET, SC: July 5, 2016—Some local students will head to college with a lighter financial load this fall, thanks in part to local donors working with Waccamaw Community Foundation to run local scholarship programs. These scholarships will support 8 students with total awards of $12,500 towards college costs for the 2016-17 academic year.
Scholarship awards come from six different funds at the Foundation: Allan Blum Memorial Scholarship, Boone Foundation Scholarship for Music and Law, John Draughn Scholarship, Sharon Malone Habitat for Humanity Scholarship, Sue’s Hope and William Sheridan Pittman Scholarship.
With applications boasting every honor from Student Body President to sports captain, the 2016 scholarships winners, determined by the WCF Scholarship Committee, are extremely deserving of their accolades.
Meet this year’s students:
Tra’Shawnada Cox – A graduate of Early College High School, Tra’Shawnda received an award from the Sharon Malone Habitat for Humanity Scholarship. In high school, Tra’Shawnda was involved in NJROTC and basketball. She will be attending Coastal Carolina University in the fall to study Early Childhood Education. Tra’Shawnda aspires to earn a master’s degree in education and one day teach kindergarten in Horry County.
Chelsea Evans – A student at the University of South Carolina, Chelsea’s renewed award from the Boone Foundation Scholarship will support her graduate studies in Law.
Nia Grissett – Nia graduated from Conway High School after a very involved four years: she was Student Body President, a member of various honor societies, regular volunteer and participant in Palmetto Girls State. Her award from the Allan Blum Memorial Scholarship will support her studies at the University of South Carolina, where she plans to major in Sport and Entertainment Management in Public Relations. One day, she hopes to be the first African American female General Manager of a professional sports team.
Mara Hartsell – Mara will attend the University of South Carolina this fall with support from Sue’s Hope Scholarship. She graduated from North Myrtle Beach High School, where she balanced cross country, AP classes, clubs, honor societies and a job while still ranking in the Top 10 percent of her senior class.
Kaleb Mitchell Hayes – After graduating from North Myrtle Beach High School, Kaleb will attend the University of South Carolina this fall to study Music Education. Throughout high school Kaleb was heavily involved in music, participating in regional bands including Long Bay Youth Symphony. One day, he hopes to be a middle school band director. Kaleb is a recipient of Sue’s Hope Scholarship.
Stephen Marinski – A student at the University of South Carolina, Stephen’s award from the Boone Foundation Scholarship will support his graduate studies in Music Performance. Stephen earned a Bachelor of Music in Guitar from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015.
Alissa Mingo – After graduating from Northwestern High School in Rock Hill this fall, Alissa will attend the College of Charleston to study Biology and Neuroscience with support from the William Sheridan Pittman Scholarship. Heavily involved in orchestra, International Club, Beta Club, Junior Civitans, Olympians and Volleyball in high school, after college, Alissa would like to attend medical school.
Jadon Tyler Reed – Jadon will attend the University of South Carolina this fall, following his graduation from North Myrtle Beach High School, supported in part by the John Draughn Scholarship. In school, Jadon participated in National Honor Society and Wrestling. He plans to open his own business one day.
Congratulations to these outstanding 2016 scholarship recipients! Donors interested in setting up a scholarship fund with Waccamaw Community Foundation may reach out to Karen Minogue, Director of Development, at karenm@mywcf.org or (843) 357-4483. Rising high school seniors interested in applying for scholarships should visit waccamawcf.org in January 2017 for further information.
About Waccamaw Community Foundation: Waccamaw Community Foundation seeks to improve quality of life across Horry and Georgetown Counties by facilitating the creation of permanent resources for charitable giving. Founded in 1999, Waccamaw Community Foundation connects philanthropists to the causes they care about, ensuring their contributions will grow far into the future. To learn more visit waccamawcf.org or call (843) 357-4483.
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Pictured Above: Mara Hartsell and Kaleb Mitchell Hayes, 2016 recipients of Sue’s Hope Scholarship.