Local student earns UPS Scholarship

RALEIGH — Andrea Garrido Lecca of Salisbury, a sophomore at Catawba College majoring in political science, has received a $3,000 scholarship from the UPS Educational Endowment Fund for the current academic year.

The Council of Independent Colleges in Washington, which administers the UPS funds, gave $108,000 to North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities which, in turn, awarded a $3,000 scholarship to a student in each of the 36 private colleges in North Carolina.

“The Council of Independent Colleges is proud to support North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities and its member colleges through the CIC/UPS Scholarships Grant Program,” said Richard Ekman, president of the council. “Designed to make private colleges more affordable and accessible, the scholarships will assist low-income, first-generation, minority, and new-American students nationwide.”

“UPS has a long history of providing generous scholarship funds for students throughout the country,” said A. Hope Williams, president of the N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities. “We are so grateful that their philanthropy includes our 36 North Carolina independent colleges and universities, and we appreciate the Council of Independent Colleges for outstanding stewardship of this program.”

State Employees’ Credit Union awards scholarships to three

KANNAPOLIS — State Employees’ Credit Union members, through the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation, presented $10,000 four-year college scholarship to three local students.

Recipients are:

• Tricia Hicks, a senior at A.L. Brown High School for study at UNC-Chapel Hill.

• Nikki Parker, a senior at A.L. Brown High School for study at Appalachian State University

• Abigail Zentmeyer, a senior at South Rowan High School for study at North Carolina State University

The scholarships are available to graduating public high school seniors who are either members of the credit union or eligible for membership through a parent or guardian. Funded by union members, the $10,000 “People Helping People” Scholarship recognizes community involvement, leadership, character and integrity, as well as scholastic achievement. The money is provided for tuition and university approved educational expenses over eight consecutive semesters.

High school scholarships awarded for the 2019 academic year represent a $4.35 million investment in the education goals of college-bound students.

“SECU members have a deep commitment to education in North Carolina and truly believe in the cooperative spirit of helping others,” said SECU local advisory board member Rolonda Morgan. “The foundation’s annual ‘People Helping People’ Scholarship program is an opportunity to share in the dreams and aspirations of hundreds of high school seniors as they continue their academic journey through the University of North Carolina System.”

Since its inception in 2005, the scholarship program has provided over $56 million in scholarships for high school seniors.

Local students graduate from N.C. School of Science and Mathematics 

Local students were among nearly 350 from across North Carolina who graduated in the residential cClass of 2019 of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics on the school’s Durham campus May 25.

Students with high abilities in math and science began their studies at their local high school, then as sophomores applied to the selective world-class public high school with statewide reach. Those accepted lived on the Durham campus in dormitories during their junior and senior years, taking high-level classes in not just science, technology, engineering, and mathematics but also in the humanities.

The state and private philanthropic donors made this possible at no cost to the students for tuition, room, board or books.

Local graduates include:

• Tamia Sherece Brown, North Rowan High School

• Jorge Lopez-Nava, Jesse C. Carson High School

• Jordan Marie Watts, Jesse C. Carson High School