YLD Awards NCBF Scholarships

Their stories vary, but there is one common denominator in that they come from families of N.C. law enforcement officers who have died or been permanently disabled in the line of duty.

Three of the scholarship recipients are entering college in the fall semester and receiving scholarships for the first time.

Amber Grace Beaman of Ayden will be a freshman at Emory University in Atlanta. She is a graduate of Arendell Parrott Academy in Kinston and will receive a $2,000 scholarship for the 2018-19 academic year. Funding for this particular scholarship was provided through the Hubert Humphrey Justice Fund of the NCBF Endowment.

Joshua Caleb Pyle of Lenoir will be a freshman at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. He is a graduate of South Caldwell High School in Hudson and will receive a $1,000 scholarship for the 2018-19 academic year.

Patrick Andrew Whatley II of Liberty will be a freshman at Appalachian State University in Boone. He is a graduate of Providence Grove High School in Climax and will receive a $1,000 scholarship for the 2018-19 academic year.

Ten scholarship recipients have had their scholarships renewed for the 2018-19 academic year.

Kaley Amanda Almond of Apex is entering her sophomore year at East Carolina University in Greenville and is receiving a $1,000 scholarship.

Ashley Taylor Byrd of Taylorsville is entering her sophomore year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is receiving a $1,000 scholarship.

Hope Marie Harrington of Garner is entering her sophomore year at Campbell University in Buies Creek and is receiving a $2,500 scholarship.

Joseph Samuel Kolodski of Bryson City is entering his senior year at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is receiving a $1,500 scholarship. His twin sister, Sarah Elizabeth Kolodski, will also be a senior at the UNC-Greensboro and is receiving a $2,500 scholarship.

Mara Elizabeth Macchia of Lenoir is attending graduate school at Appalachian State University, from which she earned her bachelor’s degree in three years, and is receiving a $500 scholarship. Her sister, Molly Annette Macchia, is a junior at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory and is receiving a $2,000 scholarship this year.

Rebecca Mariana Reyna of Liberty is a graduate student at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz., and is receiving a $1,000 scholarship this year. Her brother, Braxton Humberto Reyna, is entering his third year at the University of North Carolina School of Law and is receiving a $3,500 scholarship.

Aliyah Brendae Smith of Efland will be a junior at Hampton University in Hampton, Va., and is receiving a $500 scholarship.

Scholarship funding is provided through the North Carolina Bar Foundation Endowment, including proceeds from the Hubert Humphrey Justice Fund which are designated each year for one scholarship.

To qualify for these scholarships, candidates must turn in their initial application preceding their 27thbirthday and be enrolled or accepted at an approved institute of higher education or vocational school. Candidates who are applying for a scholarship renewal must confirm a satisfactory academic performance from the previous semester.