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ROCKY MOUNT – The Golden LEAF Foundation has announced that 215 rural North Carolina students have been selected to receive up to a $14,000 Golden LEAF Scholarship.

Five of those students are recent graduates of high schools in the Roanoke-Chowan area:

Addam Dano (Bertie Early College High School) will attend UNC-Chapel Hill.

Lauren Mitchell (Bertie High School) will attend UNC-Greensboro.

Donovan Bowers (Hertford County Early College High School) will attend UNC-Charlotte.

Camille Cullipher (Ahoskie Christian School) will attend Chowan University.

Stephenie Goode (Northampton Early College High School) will attend UNC-Charlotte.

Recipients from rural or economically distressed North Carolina counties are selected based on future career goals and an expressed intent to contribute to the stateʼs rural communities upon graduation from college.

High school seniors entering college as first year students are eligible for a $3,500 scholarship each year for up to four years of undergraduate study at a participating four-year North Carolina college or university. Community college transfer students are eligible for $3,500 a year for up to three years of undergraduate study.

“Congratulations to the students in my district who have received the Golden LEAF Scholarship,” said Senator Bobby Hanig. “This prestigious scholarship is given to students who are committed to improving their rural communities and each student is deserving of this opportunity. I am very proud of them and what their future holds.”

“My sincerest congratulations to the students from my district for earning the Golden LEAF Scholarship,” said NC House Representative Bill Ward who serves Hertford, Gates, Pasquotank and Camden counties. “I’m sure you will put in the hard work to help you accomplish your goals. We need students like you to help our rural communities thrive!”

“It is a pleasure to congratulate the Golden LEAF Scholarship recipients from my district,” said NC House Representative Rodney D. Pierce whose district covers Northampton, Halifax, and Warren counties. “Your commitment to furthering your education and giving back to your home community reflects the values that strengthen our rural areas and contribute to the success of our entire state. I am confident you will help shape a brighter future for us all.”

The Golden LEAF Foundation established the scholarship program to broaden educational opportunities and provide support to students from rural counties with the goal that recipients will return and contribute to rural communities after graduation. The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) administers the program and selects students for awards.

“We are proud to award scholarships to students who have deep connections to their rural communities,” said Scott T. Hamilton, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer. “These recipients were selected from nearly 1,600 applicants. We look forward to their future accomplishments as they continue their education and become North Carolina’s next generation of rural leaders.”

Scholarship recipients may also apply for the Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative. The Rural Internship Initiative provides Golden LEAF Scholars with professional work experience related to their career field in a rural North Carolina community. The Golden LEAF Foundation provides funding to pay interns up to $18 per hour for up to 400 hours of work. Internships take place between May and August.