Community Foundation of Burke County announces nearly $120K in scholarships

The Community Foundation of Burke County has awarded 69 scholarships totaling $119,300 for the 2024-25 school year.

The Adam Benson Scholarship was established by the Benson family in memory of their son Adam. Maria Sic (Furman University) and Yamilet Otero-Arrendondo (McDowell High School) are the recipients.

The Anita Wilson Scholarship was established by the First United Methodist Church in Morganton. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial resources for the higher education of a young person in Burke County who is pursuing a degree in music performance or music education. Jordan Dennie (East Burke High School) is the recipient.

The Allen and Rexanna Lowman Scholarship was established to honor Mr. Lowman, a teacher and a coach in the Burke County School system, to provide financial resources for higher education for a student who puts team before self, work experience, and an interest in sports. Jacob Dellinger (East Burke High School) is the recipient.

The Azmi S. Jarrah Scholarship Endowment Fund was established by Dr. Maha Jarah to honor the life and contributions of Dr. Azmi S. Jarrah and to provide financial resources for the higher education of a Burke County student. The recipient of this scholarship is Hannah Payne (Western Carolina University).

The Barrett L. and Diana S. Crawford Scholarship was established by the Crawford family to honor the life of Barrett L. Crawford, an attorney in Burke County who highly valued education. Caden Reece (Freedom High School), Riley Schutt (Jimmy C. Draughn High School) and Meah Walsh (UNC Wilmington) are the recipients.

Betty Woerner established the Betty and Otto Woerner Endowed Scholarship Fund to provide financial resources for the higher education of a young person living in Burke County. Lucy Yelton (Freedom High School) is the recipient.

The Clyde Nichols Young, Jr. Endowment Scholarship Fund was established by the family of Mr. Young to honor the life of this Burke County educator. The recipients are Braxton Reinhardt (Freedom High School) and Lucy Yelton (Freedom High School).

The Cranford Scholarship Endowment Fund was established by Paul Cranford in memory of Eric and Fred Cranford. Recipients of this scholarship are Jordan Dennie (East Burke High School), Kasey-Lyn Frazier (East Burke High School), Sydney George (East Burke High School), Makenna Williams (East Burke High School), Ella Bradshaw (Jimmy C. Draughn High School), Madison Crouch (Jimmy C. Draughn High School), Chelsea Nichols (Jimmy C. Draughn High School), and Luke Stafford (Jimmy C. Draughn High School).

The Crump-Pollpeter Scholarship Fund was established by the family to honor the lives of Ruth and Herman Crump, and Mary Lou and Ralph Pollpeter. The recipients are Lindsey Hodge (Lenoir-Rhyne University) and Sarah Mull (Western Carolina University).

The Darren Wilson Scholarship Fund was established by Loree Wilson to honor the life of her son, Darren Wilson who was a graduate of Freedom High School and Appalachian State University. The recipient of this scholarship is Lucy Yelton (Freedom High School).

The Deborah and Bruce Hershock Trades Scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to students studying in the trades industry at the WPCC Regional Trades Solution Center. Michael Cali is the recipient of this scholarship.

The Drexel Alumni Association established the Drexel Alumni Association Scholarship in memory of two educators, Harry L. Hallyburton and Faye T. Russell. Recipients are Ella Bradshaw (Jimmy C. Draughn High School), Joseph Franklin (Appalachian State University), Cora Hunt (UNC Charlotte), and Lauren Land (Challenger Early College High School).

The Erin’s Memorial Scholarship was established by the Sweezy family in memory of their daughter Erin. Kelli Ashmore (Freedom High School) and Sydney George (East Burke High School) are recipients of this scholarship.

The Freddy Leger Scholarship was established by the Leger family to honor the life of Freddy Leger who devoted 33 years to the education of children. The recipient of this scholarship is Corey Powell (Jimmy C. Draughn High School).

The Glenn R. Yoder Scholarship was established in memory of Mr. Yoder who was an educator and a member of the Valdese Lions Club. Recipients of this scholarship are Leelynn Hollifield (Burke Middle College) and Heidy Raymundo Perez (Freedom High School).

The Harris Family Scholarship was established to provide financial assistance for students graduating from Jimmy C. Draughn High School. Addison Aldrige and Riley Schutt are this year’s recipients.

The Jean B. and Frederick M. Riggs, Sr. Scholarship was established to provided financial resources for the higher education of a Burke County student. The scholarship was awarded to Sheyla Rodriquez Macario (Freedom High School) is the recipient.

The Jimmy C. Draughn Scholarship was established to honor the life and work of Mr. Draughn, the first principal of East Burke High School. The recipient of this scholarship is Makenna Williams (East Burke High School).

The Keith Warren Black Educational Scholarship was established by Lynn M. Black to honor the life of her husband, Keith Warren Black, and his dedication to education. This scholarship was awarded to Taylor Ashmore (Freedom High School).

The Larry and Louise Huffman Scholarship pays tribute to two teachers who devoted their lives to serving others, especially the youth of Burke County. Jeffrey McElyea (Jimmy C. Draughn High School) is the recipient.

The Larry Simpson Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the life of Mr. Simpson and his dedication to family and service to others. The year’s recipient is Evelin Vicente (Appalachian State University).

The Margaret Franklin Scholarship Fund was established to honor the life of Margaret Franklin who devoted her life to teaching and caring for the young people of Burke County. The scholarships provide financial resources for the higher education of someone pursuing a degree in elementary education. These scholarships were awarded to Brianna Baker (Appalachian State University) and Abby Koon (Freedom High School).

The Martha and Ron Franklin Music Scholarship Fund was established to honor those who are dedicated to pursuing a music career in Christian ministry, music education or music performance. The recipient of this scholarship is Joseph Franklin (Appalachian State University).

The Michael Williamson Eley Scholarship was established to provide financial resources for the higher education of a young person interested in pursuing a degree in engineering, math, physics or chemistry. Morgan Carhill (North Carolina School of Science and Math) is the recipient.

The Minnie Belle Rector Cooper Nursing Scholarship Fund was established by Maxine McCall, in honor of her mother, and provides financial resources for the higher education of someone pursuing a degree in nursing. The recipient of this scholarship is Taylor Ashmore (Freedom High School).

The Nathan Alan Williams Scholarship was established by the Williams family to honor the memory of Nathan. The recipient of this scholarship is Piper Atkins (Robert L. Patton High School).

The Raymond K. Miller Scholarship was established to honor the life of Mr. Miller and open to all majors at WPCC. This year’s recipient is Taylor Ashmore (Freedom High School).

The Robert A. “Bob” Shook Memorial Scholarship was established by the Rutherford College Lions Club to honor the life of “Bob” who was an educator, coach and member of the Rutherford College Lions Club for over 30 years. The recipients of this scholarship are Addison Aldridge (Jimmy C. Draughn High School) and Corey Powell (Jimmy C. Draughn High School).

The Rotary Club of Morganton Scholarship Endowment Fund awards three scholarships to students who best reflect the principles and ideals of Rotary. Emma Myers (Burke Middle College), Heidy Raymundo Perez (Freedom High School), and Kinsey Snodgrass (Robert L. Patton High School) are the recipients.

The Ruth Bolick Christian Scholarship was established by Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church (AMUMC) to honor the life of Miss Ruth Bolick. She taught school at Rutherford College Elementary for over thirty years and was the youth leader at AMUMC for over 40 years. The recipients of this scholarship are Morgan Cargill (North Carolina School of Science and Math), Mattie Jensen (Appalachian State University), Cora Hunt (UNC Charlotte), Emma Myers (Burke Middle College), Luke Stafford (Jimmy C. Draughn High School), and Jacob Jensen (Gardner-Webb University).

The Smith-Nanney Scholarship was established to honor the memory of Ivey Alexander Smith, Geneva Johnson Smith, Bruce Glenn Nanney, and Ruth Hipps Nanney. The recipients of this scholarship are Taylor Ashmore (Freedom High School) and Heidy Raymundo Perez (Freedom High School).

The Stiff Endowment Fund awards scholarships annually to outstanding students pursuing a degree in nursing. Kasey-Lyn Frazier (East Burke High School) and Madison Banner (Freedom High School) are the recipients.

The St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Miss Annie Avery Scholarship was established by the St. Mary’s and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church congregation to honor the life of Miss Annie Avery. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students seeking to improve their life positions by pursuing certificate or degree programs. The recipients of this scholarship are Tanney Ivey (East Burke High School) and Tatianna Huaman (Jimmy C. Draughn High School).

The Tim Spain Scholarship was established in Tim’s memory by his parents and sister with the goal of keeping his memory and his love of teaching alive. The recipient of this scholarship is Tanney Ivey (East Burke High School).

The Valdese Rotary Club Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in memory of John P. Rostan, Jr. to honor his 50 years of service to the Valdese Rotary Club. Scholarships were awarded to Cora Hunt (UNC Charlotte), Ella Bradshaw (Jimmy C. Draughn High School), and Corey Powell (Jimmy C. Draughn High School).

The Wynne and Otto Woerner Scholarship Endowment Fund was established to provide financial assistance to young people in Burke and McDowell counties. Isabella Lawing (McDowell High School), Freddy Rodriquez-Ramirez (McDowell Early College), and Alexander Gouge (McDowell Early College) are this year’s recipients.

For more information regarding scholarship funds, please contact JJ Musgrove, President & CEO of the Community Foundation, at 828-437-7105 or jmusgrove@cfburkecounty.org.