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2008 News Articles › NCBA Awards Scholarships Totaling $39,500
NCBA Awards Scholarships Totaling $39,500
Article Date: Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Written By: Russell Rawlings
The death or disability of a loved one leaves an indelible mark on a family, especially when someone is slain or injured while serving as a law enforcement officer. There are also financial burdens to consider as families often struggle to make ends meet, much less pay for college.
In response to these needs, the Young Lawyers Division of the North Carolina Bar Association annually awards scholarships to students from families of N.C. law enforcement officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty.
Funding is provided through the NCBA Foundation Endowment, including a $5,000 annual contribution from the Hubert Humphrey Justice Fund that is divided among two scholarship recipients.
For the 2008-09 academic year, scholarships totaling $39,500 were awarded to 16 students from across the state.
Three of the students are receiving NCBA Scholarships for the first time. They are:
Brittany Renae Cullifer of West End, a freshman at Appalachian State University who is receiving a $2,000 scholarship;
Elizabeth Claire Hillard of Salisbury, a sophomore at Catawba College who is receiving a $2,500 scholarship; and
Brittainey Jane Moore of Belmont, a freshman at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte who is receiving a $2,000 scholarship.
“Being awarded this scholarship would allow me to achieve this success,” Cullifer stated. “My father, who is disabled, and my stepmother, who is retired, want to see me finish my education and graduate from college, but need help to pay for the cost of college.
“When I turn 18, my Social Security money ends and this puts more strain on paying for college. Receiving this scholarship will not only help with furthering my education, it will also be an honor to receive it.”
Hillard’s father was serving with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office when he died in the line of duty in 1999. An elementary education major, she already volunteers with the public school system and one day hopes to pursue a master’s degree in elementary education as well.
“I love to work and stay busy,” Hillard said. “This gives me a sense of pride and achievement. The more time and effort put forth, the greater the reward.”
Moore is using her scholarship to pursue a career in nursing, although she has not ruled out medical school.
“My father had to give up a career he was dedicated to and known as one of the best in his field in our county at a very young age,” Moore said of disabled Gaston County law enforcement officer Randy Moore. “This event made a huge impact on our entire family.”
Thirteen students received scholarship renewals for 2008-09. They are:
Ashley Nicole Davis of McLeansville, a sophomore at North Carolina State University who is receiving a $2,000 scholarship, and her sister, Krystle Michelle Davis, a senior at Meredith College who is receiving a $3,500 scholarship;
Sara Addison Fuller of Harmony, a sophomore and Humphrey Scholar at Appalachian State University who is receiving a $5,000 scholarship;
Lauren Evelyn Garner of Sanford, a sophomore at Central Carolina Community College who is receiving a $1,000 scholarship;
Brothers Steven Douglas Hall and Thomas Christopher Hall of Andrews who both attend Western Carolina University. Steven Hall is a senior who is receiving a $4,000 scholarship while Thomas Hall is a sophomore who is receiving a $2,500 scholarship;
Lane D. Means II of Concord, a junior at North Carolina A&T State University who will receive a $1,000 scholarship, and his sister, Nathalie DonNora Means, a graduate student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis who will receive a $3,000 scholarship;
Jeffery A. Morton of Greensboro, a junior at North Carolina A&T State University who will receive a $1,000 scholarship;
Christopher Lee Patton of High Point, a junior at North Carolina A&T State University who will receive a $2,500 scholarship;
Robert A. “Robby” Skamperle of Laurinburg, a senior and Humphrey Scholar at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington who will receive a $5,000 scholarship; and
Amanda Nicole Sutton of Hickory, a senior at Lenoir-Rhyne College who will receive a $2,500 scholarship.
North Carolina lawyers, through the NCBA Foundation Endowment program, have distributed $442,127 in scholarship funds since 1989.
Recipients must make initial application prior to their 27th birthday and be enrolled or accepted at an approved institute of higher education or vocational school. Renewal applicants must demonstrate satisfactory academic performance in the preceding semester.