The Horry County Higher Education Commission (HCHEC) has awarded scholarships to eight area high school graduates who will attend Coastal Carolina University this fall.

Each of the scholarship awards - six leadership and two 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 or demonstrated artistic talent.

Winning the visual and performing arts scholarship were Graham Blake, an Aynor High School graduate who will be pursuing a major in music, and Rancier Felipe, a Socastee High School graduate who will be pursuing a major in art studio.

Leadership scholarships were awarded to:

Hollis Strickland - a Green Sea Floyds High School graduate who was president of the Future Farmers of America, varsity tennis captain and a member of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Her community service included working with organizations to help the homeless during the holidays, working with the elderly and helping develop a scholarship for a fellow senior.

Lauren Thompson - a North Myrtle Beach High School graduate who was a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, Student Council and Fellowship of Christian Students. She also volunteered in her church and community and participated in the People-to-People Student Ambassador Program.

Brittany Parker - an Aynor High School graduate who was a teacher cadet and a member of the Future Farmers of America and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She also raised money by walking for a variety of organizations and visited the elderly in nursing homes.

Jon White - A Carolina Forest High School graduate who was a chapter reporter for the Future Farmers of America and member of the Interact Club. He worked with the elderly, made gift boxes for soldiers in Iraq and worked with the Palmetto Boy's State sponsored by the American Legion.

Ashley Charon - a North Myrtle Beach High School graduate who was a member of the National Honor Society, secretary for the Beta Club, president of the Interact Club and captain of the varsity tennis team. She worked at a children's center and in a soup kitchen for the homeless.

Amy Wright - a Socastee High School graduate who was a member of the Beta Club, Key Club, Mu Alpha Theta and Bravette Dance Team. She volunteered by visiting nursing homes to work with the elderly and helped raise money to buy a defibrillator for her school, which inspired the school district to obtain one for all the schools in the county.

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 exemplary 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 music, musical theatre, art studio or dramatic arts. This scholarship also requires a 2.5 high school grade point average and an audition or portfolio review.

For additional information about the HCHEC scholarships, contact the Office of Financial Aid at Coastal at 349-2313 or 349-2308.