HCHEC awards local scholarships
Each of the scholarship awards - five leadership and one visual and performing arts - provide $2,500 per academic year for up to four years to qualified Horry County students who show exemplary academic work, leadership and community service.
Winning the visual and performing arts scholarship was Brandiann Gaston, Socastee High School, an artist, who volunteered at Gateway Day Care Academy, Beach Sweep, Pelicans Celebrity Softball Tournament and the Pelicans Octoberfest.
Leadership scholarships were awarded to:
Richard Agle - a Carolina Forest High School graduate, has been a member of the National Honor Society, Long Bay Symphony Orchestra and Low Country Regional Orchestra, and his community service included the Summer Feeding Program and Street Reach.
Darius Gordyk - a Carolina Forest High School graduate who was captain of the golf team, a member of Peer Mediation and the National Honor Society, and who was involved in Habitat for Humanity, Helping Hands, a blood drive and the Walk for Juvenile Diabetes.
Adrienne Johnson - a Green Sea Floyds High School graduate was captain of the marching band, secretary of the Senior Class Student council, battalion commander of JROTC and secretary of the National Honor Society; she also worked with the American Red Cross and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Candice Turner - a Green Sea Floyds High School graduate who was a member of the National Honor Society, co-captain of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and she volunteered at Pinedale Nursing Home, Loris Nursing Home and the Children's Shelter Home.
Michael Powell - a Loris High School graduate, was a member of the Senior Beta Club and the Future Farmers of America; he also participated in the Food Bank and placed more than 50 bluebird houses on two golf courses.
The Horry County Higher Education Commission Leadership Scholarships are designed to promote service and citizenship and to recognize students for their leadership, volunteerism and academic excellence. To qualify, applicants must have earned at least a 2.5 high school grade point average through their junior year and have an established record of community service.
The Horry County Higher Education Commission Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship is designed to assist exceptionally talented Horry County seniors who plan to major in art, music, musical theater or dramatic arts. This scholarship will also require a 2.5 high school grade point average, among other criteria.
These scholarships have replaced the HCHEC Academic Scholarships, which have been awarded to Horry County students for many years. HCHEC will continue to support the 23 students attending Coastal Carolina on academic scholarships.
About 65 percent of Coastal Carolina's students receive some form of financial aid, which is comparable to the national average.
For additional information about the HCHEC scholarships, contact the Scholarship Office at Coastal Carolina University.