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Award, shaking hands

Waccamaw Community Foundation’s 2018 Scholarship Recipients

Pictured: Zachary Johnson meeting with donor John M. Draughn of the John M. Draughn and Trena B. Draughn Scholarship Fund

We are excited to announce 11 students will gain the opportunity to attend college this fall, thanks in part to the scholarship programs created by generous donors in Horry and Georgetown counties and stewarded and managed by WCF. The Foundation has been awarding scholarships for nearly 20 years since our founding in 1999. This year’s scholarship awards total $110,127 for both undergraduate and graduate pursuits.

This dollar amount is almost double last year’s total for scholarships, and far exceeds 2016’s total. WCF’s Board and scholarship donors recognized and are meeting the need for greater impact through increased scholarship amounts and the creation of more renewable scholarship opportunities.

Additional highlights this year include both Boone Scholarship recipients receiving $20,000 awards, three of the Jones Scholarship recipients receiving full tuition and fees, and one Jones Scholarship recipient receiving half-tuition and fees.

Scholarship awards come from six funds at the Foundation: Allan Blum Memorial Scholarship, Boone Foundation Scholarship for Music and Law, John M. Draughn and Trena B. Draughn Scholarship, Sharon Malone Habitat for Humanity Scholarship, Sue’s Hope Scholarship Fund and Thomas W. Jones Memorial Scholarship.

Some recipients are rising freshmen, but many are upperclassmen, and two are enrolled in graduate and doctorate programs. With applicants’ ambitions ranging from Conductor to Radiologist to Engineer, the hardworking 2018 scholarship winners, determined by the WCF Scholarship Committee, are sure to go far.

Congratulations to these outstanding 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 check back on this website in January 2019 for further information.

Meet this year’s students

Sharon Malone Scholarship for Habitat for Humanity

Ephiphany Holmes – A rising senior at Winthrop University, Ephiphany received an award from the Sharon Malone Habitat for Humanity Scholarship. Ephiphany is majoring in psychology and double minoring in French and women’s and gender studies. She has recently presented undergraduate research at the 6th annual Southeastern Psychological Association Conference. She is an avid reader and loves to spend time with family and friends. Ephiphany plans on furthering her education, getting her master’s in school psychology and becoming a public school psychologist.

 

 

Jaylen Johnson – A recent graduate of Myrtle Beach Christian Academy School, Jaylen received the Sharon Malone Habitat for Humanity Scholarship. He was a scholar athlete in high school, playing football and baseball, and also worked in the restaurant industry. During the past four years, he’s managed to maintain a solid GPA, excel in athletics and work part-time, all while facing and overcoming great family challenges. As an incoming freshman at Coastal Carolina University, Jaylen plans to pursue a degree in physical therapy.

 

Allan Blum Memorial Scholarship

Claire Hamilton – Claire is a recent graduate of Conway High School and recipient of the Alan Blum Memorial Scholarship. This fall, Claire will begin her freshman year at Clemson University where she plans to major in engineering. At Conway High School, Claire was involved in many organizations such as National Honor Society, Anchor Club, and acapella choir and played tennis for six years at the varsity level. She also attended Palmetto Girls State, a leadership and citizenship training program in 2017. She loves to volunteer at her church and spend time with family and friends.

 

Sue’s Hope Scholarship Fund

Amanda Allen – Amanda is a recent graduate at North Myrtle Beach Christian School. This fall, with the help of the Sue’s Hope Scholarship Fund, Amanda will begin her freshman year at Jacksonville State University, where she plans to major in clinical health and wellness with a minor in biology. At North Myrtle Beach Christian School, Amanda was involved in the National Beta Club, the Little River Rotary Club, and student government. She also played volleyball at the junior varsity and varsity level along with basketball and softball at the junior varsity level. She enjoys spending most of her time at the beach or being with friends. Amanda plans to further her education at The Medical University of South Carolina where she plans study Radiology.

John M. Draughn and Trena B. Draughn Scholarship Fund

Zack Johnson – Entering his second year at Horry-Georgetown Technical College, Zack is on the Dean’s List and on track to complete his associate degree before transferring to Coastal Carolina University to major in business. Zack has worked hard in the restaurant industry since he was old enough to be employed, and plans to continue to work his way up within the industry. This is Zack’s second year as a recipient of the John M. Draughn and Trena B. Draughn Scholarship.

 

 

The Boone Foundation Scholarship Fund

Erin Waldron – A recipient of the The Boone Foundation Scholarship Fund, Erin is entering her third year at the University of South Carolina School of Law. Erin is a legal research and writing tutor, a member of Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity, and Assistant Editor in Chief of the South Carolina Law Review. She is an active member of her homeowners’ association, and when she’s not studying, she enjoys riding her bicycle and playing trivia. After earning her law degree, Erin plans to pursue a judicial clerkship in South Carolina.

 

 

Nathan Tucker – Pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of South Carolina, where he studies instrumental conducting with Scott Weiss and serves as a graduate assistant in the School of Music. Nathan is a staff member with University Bands, and serves as the personnel manager of the Carolina Band, the university’s 400-member marching band. He is also an avid landscaper, loves to spend time with his wife, Kate, and two sons, Gabriel and William, and be in his backyard grilling or visiting with neighbors on his front porch. Nathan plans to become a music professor and conductor after he earns his doctorate with the support of the The Boone Foundation Scholarship Fund.

 

Thomas W. Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund

Joe Simpson – Entering his senior year at the University of South Carolina, Joe is majoring in mechanical engineering with support from the Thomas W. Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund. Joe is involved in the university chapter of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, where he serves as one of the club’s executive board members. In his free time, he enjoys playing piano, camping, and playing recreational sports. After graduating with his bachelor’s degree, Joe looks forward to joining the engineering workforce.

 

 

Jacob McDaniel – A recipient of the Thomas W. Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund, is entering his senior year at University of South Carolina, where he is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Jacob is enrolled in the university’s Army ROTC program and will be commissioned as an Army officer upon graduation. He will serve a minimum of 6 years in the South Carolina Army National Guard as he serves both his community and his country. Jacob is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting and fishing as well as spending time on the water. He is a youth leader at his church. After graduation, Jacob plans to pursue a master’s degree in engineering. Following his successful completion of graduate school, Jacob plans to enter a career in federal law enforcement.

Alfred Stephenson – A recent graduate of Georgetown High School, Alfred is beginning his freshman year at the University of South Carolina with the help of the Thomas W. Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund. From the small community of North Santee, Alfred places high value on community, family and faith. At Georgetown High, Alfred played basketball and ran track, was heavily involved with the Interact Club, and worked at a legal firm. Alfred is studying computer engineering with a minor in mathematics with the goal of graduating summa cum laude and finding work at an engineering firm.

 

Beau Studley – Beau is also a recent graduate of Georgetown High School and entering his freshman year at the University of South Carolina. In high school, Beau was a four-year member of the soccer team, including serving as team captain, was the captain of the Academic Team, and also involved in Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Art Honor Society and his church. He also has completed countless hours of community service with Toys for Tots, Habitat for Humanity, Martha’s Women’s House, and several other charitable organizations. With support from the Thomas W. Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund, Beau is studying mechanical engineering, hoping to find an opportunity to combine his artistic talents with his mathematical skills to find a satisfying and challenging career.

About Waccamaw Community Foundation

Waccamaw Community Foundation seeks to improve quality of life across Horry and Georgetown counties by offering individuals, families and organizations the opportunity to establish named charitable funds that support the community through grants and scholarships. Founded in 1999, Waccamaw Community Foundation connects people with the causes they care about, provides personalized service and helps donors leave a lasting legacy. To learn more visit waccamawcf.org or call (843) 357-4483.

Waccamaw Community Foundation is an affiliate organization of Coastal Community Foundation.

3655 S. Hwy. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

843-357-GIVE (4483)

Info@mywcf.org

Our business hours are 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Friday.

EIN: 56-2121992

Copyright © 2024 Waccamaw Community Foundation

Jean Ann Brakefield

Programs Officer

jeanann@mywcf.org
843-357-0168

Jean Ann provides support and day-to-day management for WCF’s competitive grantmaking and scholarship programs. She also serves as the external point-person for community programs focused on capacity building for agencies in Horry and Georgetown counties.

Brakefield comes to WCF from Coastal Carolina University where she acted as Director of Stewardship and, prior to that, Director of Alumni Relations. She also served as Vice President of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. Brakefield earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Coastal Carolina University. She lives in Murrells Inlet with husband with whom she has two children and one grandchild – and one on the way!

Gary Cooper

Vice Chair, Development Committee

Gary Cooper is the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Palmetto Infusion Services, LLC. Gary graduated from Wofford College with a BS in Economics and went on to acquire his Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration from the University of South Carolina. 
 
He has dedicated twenty-four years of service and leadership to the health care industry as an entrepreneur across a number of businesses. Gary’s commitment to the industry and servant leadership has ensured that the employees, patients, and communities served by his companies have benefitted from his stewardship.
 
Gary and his wife Kelly reside in Pawleys Island, SC and are the parents of four children – Gracyn, Clemons, Marshall, and Sutton.
 

Dr. Deshawn Rouse

Director

Dr. Deshawn Rouse is the Founder and CEO of Spirit Filled Ambassadors for Christ Ministries. He also serves as Senior Prelate of the United Ministries of the Kingdom. Additionally, Dr. Rouse is the Founder and CEO of Prison of Hope Ministry, a state and federal prison ministry. Also, he is the Founder and CEO of Zenith Wealth Building.
 
He received his Doctoral Degree in Biblical Studies in 2013 from North Carolina College of Theology in Wilmington, North Carolina.
 
Deshawn has served on various boards including the City of Andrews’ Planning Commission and its Zoning Board of Appeals. He is the Vice Chairman of Smurfs Development School and is a covenant partner with Helping Hands of Georgetown. Dr. Rouse has received the Order of The Silver Crescent from Governor Henry McMaster, an Icon Award from the Andrews SC Chapter of the NAACP, the Town of Andrews’ Citizens Award, and various other awards from federal, state, and local officials. Deshawn released a book Never Have a Bad Day and two children’s books Them Two: Morals Stops Quarrels and Kingdom Economic.
 
Dr. Rouse is married to Lady Debra Rouse and has four children Tarique, Kenly, Jordon, and Jeremiah. 
 

Emma Ruth Brittain

Director

Emma Ruth Brittain is a native of Darlington, and is retired from her most recent employment as a member of Thomas & Brittain, P.A. She is a graduate of Furman University and received her law degree from University of South Carolina School of Law. Emma Ruth began practicing law in September of 1980 and her areas of practice included Employment and Labor Law and she retired from the practice of law in 2019.
 
As a practicing attorney, she was a member of the South Carolina Bar Association, American Bar Association and Horry County Bar Association as well as the Myrtle Beach Women Lawyers Association. She has served on the Supreme Court of South Carolina Lawyer Mentoring Program and Coastal Inn of Court.  She currently serves on the boards of United Way of Horry County and the Long Bay Symphony.  Emma Ruth served as a past president of the Myrtle Beach Rotary Club. 
 
Emma Ruth and her husband, Clay, live in Myrtle Beach and have 2 grown children Clay IV and Benjamin.

Robert P. Hucks, II

Vice Chair

Robert P. Hucks, II is Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer at Coastal Carolina National Bank. Hucks has worked in the banking industry for 23 years and represents a second-generation banker in Horry County, where he currently resides in Conway with his wife Christi and two boys, Riles and Winn.

Wallace Evans Jr.

Director

Wallace Evans Jr., is a native of North Myrtle Beach, SC. He is married and has four children. He attended Clemson Univ. but graduated from Coastal Carolina Univ. with a B. A. in Interdisciplinary Studies. He is currently the CEO of A Father’s Place, the nonprofit father engagement initiative with three offices serving Georgetown, Horry, and Williamsburg counties.

Cheryl Cail

Director

Cheryl Cail is Acting Chief of the Waccamaw Indian People and Chairperson of SC Idle No More; a committee under the SC Indian Affairs Commission, which focuses on protection of the environment, cultural preservation, and indigenous sovereignty. She owns Coastal Carolina Signings, LLC, and also works part-time as an Associate Director at American Rivers. She is the mother of three sons and grandmother of seven.

Dennis L Wade

Dennis Wade is a native of Lancaster, SC and a graduate of the University of South Carolina. Mr. Wade has been President and Chief Executive Officer of The Jackson Companies since 2001. The Jackson Companies is a diversified tourism, hospitality and real estate development company located in the South Strand of Myrtle Beach. For more than five decades, the Jackson family has instilled philanthropy and community service into their multifaceted group of businesses. Dennis is a graduate of Leadership Grand Strand XIX and a Waccamaw American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow. He currently serves on the Coastal Educational Foundation Board of Directors, the Board of Visitors for the Wall College of Business at Coastal Carolina University, and the Conway Medical Center Board of Trustees. He is also chairman of the Board of Directors of Coastal Carolina Bancshares, Inc. and a director of Coastal Carolina National Bank. Dennis and his wife, Marie, have two children, Erica and Taylor, and have called the Grand Strand home since 1997.

Allen Jeffcoat

Allen Jeffcoat has been practicing law in Myrtle Beach since 1977. His areas of practice include real estate, estate planning, probate administration, environmental law, corporate and business law, and bankruptcy.  He serves as an expert witness in cases in these areas of practice. He is licensed to practice law in SC and NC. He has served as chair of the Real Estate Practices Section of the SC Bar.

Allen’s relationship with Waccamaw Community Foundation began many years ago, when he would advise his estate planning clients to invest their funds to benefit their philanthropic interests, such as education, the arts, and environmental protection. After working alongside his clients and WCF, Allen joined the Foundation’s board of directors in 2007 and served as director until 2016.

In addition to his professional to his professional interests and his involvement with WCF, Allen has a history of supporting coastal and statewide conservation efforts. In 1985, Allen joined the South Carolina Nature Conservancy board of trustees, and fulfilled a variety of leadership roles- including a stint a chairman— from 1987-1989. Allen also served on Governor Carroll Campbell’s Freshwater Wetlands Forum, and continues to apply his experience in environmental and real estate law to help preserve and protect natural resources and ecosystems vital to the local community.

Allen is also a founder and first president of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina.

Allen has resided in the Grand Strand since 1977 with his wife, Mary. They have two grown children and a granddaughter.

Tim Whitten

Tim@mywcf.org

843-357-4483

A native of Alabama, Tim received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Auburn University and a master’s degree in religion from Lenoir-Rhyne University. He brings to WCF a background in grant writing and in disaster recovery most recently serving the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Tim resides in Galivants Ferry with his wife Julie and their four children.

Phillip Anderson

Vice Chair, Grants Committee

Phillip Anderson is a Senior Vice President & Senior Lending Officer for Asheville, North Carolina-based HomeTrust Bank, serving the coast of South Carolina. Throughout his 22-year banking career, he has served in commercial banking, trust administration, retail banking, and market leadership roles with mid-size and regional banks in South Carolina and Georgia. He has always embodied the community banking model of building strong local relationships and being active in numerous non-profits and promoting their causes.
 
He is a graduate of Mercer University in Macon, GA, the Cannon Financial Institute’s Trust School, The Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Wharton Leadership program. He is also a graduate of several Chamber of Commerce Leadership programs over his career.
 
Phillip resides in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, with his wife Mary Beth and daughter Carolina. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and playing golf.

Ellen Barney Sycks

Stewardship & Communications Officer

info@mywcf.org
Office: 843-357-0165
Mobile: 614-893-7998


Ellen serves the Foundation as its Stewardship and Communications Officer, responsible for communicating with fund holders on a regular basis and providing advice when needed, particularly around fund development as well as relevant field of interest information.

A native of Hillsboro, Ohio, Ellen provides more than three decades of non-profit leadership experience, focusing on creating major gift and planned giving opportunities to support organizations’ programs, special projects and capital campaigns. Ellen received her B.A. in National Security Policy from The Ohio State University. She lives in Murrells Inlet with her husband Jay and their two cats, Mabel and Murray.

Chris Hanna

Director

Chris Hanna is a Senior Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. Born and raised in Myrtle Beach, he started in the real estate business in 1993. Chris is a member of the Coastal Carolinas, South Carolina and National Associations of REALTORS and is an active local community member as well, having served on various boards such as the Horry County Zoning Board of Appeals, the Coastal Carolina Athletic Foundation, and Horry County school district Carolina Forest Advisory Board. He is a member of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality and Oceanview Baptist Church. Chris is a graduate of Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach, and he received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Carolina at Coastal Carolina in 1992.

Rick Elliott

Chair

Rick Elliott is president of his family business, Elliott Realty, one of the most prominent real estate companies in North Myrtle Beach. As a native of Horry County, he has always made giving back to the community a part of his approach to business. Each guest who stays with Elliott Realty is given the option to add an additional $1 per night to their bill to be donated to the Elliott Realty Charitable Community Fund at Waccamaw Community Foundation, which invests in causes throughout the surrounding community. Rick brings this commitment to community philanthropy to his service on the Waccamaw Community Foundation Board of Directors. He has also served as the chairman of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce.



Tyler Easterling

Director

Tyler Easterling is a native of Marietta, Georgia and has resided in Georgetown County since moving to the area in 2002. Tyler is the president and COO of The Brandon Agency, an integrated marketing agency headquartered in Myrtle Beach. She is the current board chair for Coastal Montessori Charter School and serves on the boards of Helping Hands of Georgetown and Young Presidents’ Organization Southern 7 Chapter. She is a member of the 2018 Liberty Fellowship class.

Tyler holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from the University of Mississippi and a Masters of Mass Communication from the University of South Carolina. She is an active member of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church and enjoys spending time with her husband, Marshall, and two daughters, Julia and Anne Marshall.



Terri DeCenzo

Director

Terri serves as executive director of Women in Philanthropy and Leadership for Coastal Carolina University (WIPL). She is married to Coastal Carolina University President David A. DeCenzo, and when he joined the university in 2002, she became passionately involved with the life of the university, taking an active role in issues relating to student government and NCAA athletics, among others. Previously Terri has served on the boards of the American Red Cross and the Foundation for Georgetown Hospital System and was an adviser to the Safe Families Initiative that established Family Justice Center of Horry and Georgetown Counties. In 2016, Terri was awarded the Order of the Silver Crescent by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. A graduate of St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing and Towson University, she spent most of her career practicing in critical care. The DeCenzo’s have four children: Mark (his wife Jen), Meredith (and her husband Ryan Daley), Gabriella and Natalie; and one beautiful grandson, William Mason Evans.


Executive Director, Women in Philanthropy and Leadership for Coastal Carolina University (WIPL)

Dr. Tracy Bailey

Director

Dr. Tracy Bailey earned a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Language and Literacy at the University of South Carolina in May of 2013. She is a Teaching Associate with Coastal Carolina University teaching Intermediate Literacy Development and Instructional Practices for Early Literacy.

Dr. Bailey began her career in education as a high school English instructor and has worked in both rural and urban educational settings. After realizing the impact professional development and community literacy had on her personal and professional growth, she wanted others to experience this. She is the founder and executive director of Freedom Readers, Inc., a nonprofit company dedicated to promoting literacy. Tracy seeks to instill in teachers, students, and the community at large the belief that every student can learn and every learner has the responsibility to pass on new knowledge to another.

Dr. Bailey earned her BA from The College of Charleston- majoring in English Education- and a Masters in Secondary Education from Coastal Carolina University. She is married to award-winning writer, Issac J. Bailey, and is the mother of two wonderful children, Kyle and Lyric.



Brent Groome

Chair

A 1987 graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Brent came to the Grand Strand area in 1989. After a 31 year career with HTC (Horry Telephone Cooperative), he retired in 2021.  In addition to his current role with WCF, he also serves as a member of the Board of Commissioners for HGTC. He is also active with his church; serving as a Sunday School teacher and congregational song leader.  He and his wife, Dana, live in the Conway area.

Shawna Mosley-Foster

Service and Operations Officer

shawna@mywcf.org
843-357-4483 x200

Shawna, a native of Jamaica, NY, has more than 15 years of experience working in the hospitality and tourism field. Since relocating to South Carolina in 2004, she spent a few more years working with a local hospitality company before joining WCF’s staff.  While a native New Yorker, Shawna has a rich heritage right here in the Waccamaw area. Her mother was born and raised on Sandy Island, and her father is from Bucksport. She enjoys cooking, stargazing with her family, cruising and once retired….RVing! Shawna and her husband are empty nesters and resides in Myrtle Beach. 

Mike Mancuso

Executive Director

mike@mywcf.org
843-357-0211

Mike is a veteran business leader with more than 30 years of experience as an innovative problem solver and change agent for nonprofit, banking and small business organizations. Mike is a skilled economic developer with background in community development, downtown redevelopment, industrial development and strategic planning. His passion is helping Communities and Businesses thrive and grow.

Most recently Mike served as the President and CEO of the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Foundation in Johnston County, NC and as Executive Director for the Sustainable Opportunity Development Center, Inc in Salem, OH. Mike and his wife Christine make their home in Little River, SC. They have 3 children and 5 grandchildren living in Charleston, SC, Atlanta, GA, & Austin TX. Mike enjoys boating on the ICW, tinkering in his workshop/garage and spending time with family and friends.