ROCKINGHAM — Six Richmond County students are among the 215 across rural North Carolina to be awarded a scholarship of up to $14,000 from the Golden Leaf Foundation.
According to a press release issued June 8, high school seniors starting as first-year students at a college or university for undergraduate study are eligible for up to $3,500 per year for all four years.
Community college transfer students are eligible for the same amount for three years.
According to the press release: “The Golden LEAF Scholarship program prioritizes students who demonstrate clear career goals and a commitment to returning to rural North Carolina communities after graduation. In alignment with the Foundation’s mission, the scholarship also honors the state’s agricultural heritage by supporting students with personal or family ties to North Carolina’s tobacco industry. This focus recognizes the historical and economic significance of tobacco growing, production, and processing to the families and rural communities that Golden LEAF serves.”
Students were selected from 59 of the state's 100 counties, most of which are designated Tier 1 — the most economically distressed — by the N.C. Department of Commerce.
“We are proud to award scholarships to hardworking students with deep roots in their communities,” said Scott T. Hamilton, Golden LEAF president, Chief Executive Officer. “Chosen from more than 1,400 applicants, these students represent the future of rural North Carolina. We look forward to their accomplishments as they continue their education and become North Carolina's next generation of leaders.”
Half of the local scholarship winners are from Richmond Early College High School: McKenzie Allen, who will attend East Carolina University; Jentry Denson, who will attend Pfeiffer University; and Melanie Garcia, who will attend N.C. State University.
Richmond Senior High School’s Brianna Bouldin will be going to UNC-Wilmington; and Emma Humann, who attended the N.C. School of Science and Math, has been accepted to UNC-Chapel Hill.
Gracie McRae, a Richmond Community College transfer student, will also be attending N.C. State.
"Congratulations to all those who received a Golden LEAF scholarship, especially those from Richmond County," state Rep. Ben Moss, R-Richmond, said in a statement. "This is a recognition of all the hard work that you put into your studies over many years. I know all Golden LEAF scholars will continue to make a positive impact on North Carolina's rural communities."
State Sen. Dave Craven, R-Randolph, who also represents Richmond County, offered his congratulations as well.
“Your determination and hard work have brought you to this moment, and I am confident you will use this opportunity to achieve your goals and strengthen our rural communities.”
The release states that scholarship recipients can apply for the Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative which “provides Golden LEAF Scholars with professional work experience related to their career field in a rural North Carolina community.”
Interns are paid $18 per hour for up to 400 hours of work at internships from May through August.
Golden LEAF has provided more than 6,300 scholarships since the program was established in 2000.
