Waccamaw Community Foundation Unveils 2023 Scholarship Winners

Press Release

Waccamaw Community Foundation, the Grand Strand’s leading philanthropic organization, has unveiled its list of 2023 scholarship winners, helping 10 local students offset the cost of higher education.

“Our goal is to help improve life for residents of the Waccamaw Region and aiding the area’s next generation of leaders as they earn a college degree is a vital part of our mission,” said Mike Mancuso, executive director of Waccamaw Community Foundation. “The field of candidates for this year’s scholarships was deep and talented, which only serves to highlight the credentials of our winners. We look forward to assisting 10 members of the class of 2023 as they earn a college degree and prepare for a life of prosperity.”

WCF’s 2023 scholarship winners are: 

Vanessa Alaimo is a 2023 Sun News Educational Foundation Scholarship recipient. She will be attending the University of South Carolina this fall as an International Business major.

Allene Bird is a 2023 Sun News Educational Foundation Scholarship recipient. She will be attending the University of South Carolina this fall as an Exercise Science/Kinesiology (Pediatric Physical Therapy) major.

Amauri Gibson is the 2023 Felix & Juanita Rhue Scholarship recipient. She will be attending North Carolina A&T State University this fall as a Mechanical Engineering major.

Caeden Graham is a 2023 Thomas W. Jones Memorial Scholarship recipient. He attends the University of South Carolina in the civic engineering program.

John Morris is the 2023 Boone Foundation Scholarship recipient. He will attend the University of South Carolina this fall as a student in USC’s law program.

Landen Pollock is the 2023 John M. Draughn and Trena B. Draughn Scholarship recipient. He is attending Coastal Carolina University this fall.

David K. Raynor, III, is a 2023 Thomas W. Jones Memorial Scholarship recipient. He will attend the University of South Carolina in the mechanical engineering program.

Leticia Robeldo is the 2023 Sue’s Hope Scholarship recipient. She will be attending Coastal Carolina University this fall as a Criminal Justice major.

Isaac Shumard is a 2023 Sun News Educational Foundation Scholarship recipient. He will be attending Clemson University this fall as an Education major.

Ryleigh-Caroline Williams is the 2023 Edsel J. “Coupe” DeVille Memoria Scholarship recipient. She will be attending the University of South Carolina Honors College this fall as a Biology major.

Available scholarships include:

The Edsel J. “Coupe” DeVille Memorial Scholarship
Created by the Surfside Area Rotary Club in honor of Edsel J. “Coupe” DeVille, a retired Air Force Colonel and the co-founder of Right Flight, who wanted to change lives through access to education.

● Applicants must be graduating seniors from St. James High School or Socastee High School. Horry County students who have family who are members of Surfside Area Rotary Club are also eligible to apply.
● Students should have demonstrated involvement in extra-curriculars or community activities and financial need.
● This scholarship is not necessarily for “A” students, as academic performance is evaluated on an individual basis in relationship with the student’s full application.

Felix and Juantia Rhue Scholarship
The Felix and Juantia Rhue Scholarship Awards are available to residents of Georgetown County and based on the following criteria:

● Candidate will be an African American high school senior, residing in Georgetown County, S.C., attending a Georgetown County school, with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or better, and planning to enroll in an accredited four-year institution in the U.S. Standardized test scores will also be a consideration.
● Involvement in extra-curricular and community activities, and leadership roles, based on student’s self-reporting and letters of recommendation.
● Financial need, based on personal financial information provided by the student in the application. Student employment experience should be stated and will be a consideration, though not a requirement.
● Character and personality, based on letters of recommendation.
● Personal aspirations and ability to overcome obstacles, based on letters of recommendation.

John M. Draughn and Trena B. Draughn Scholarship
This scholarship, in an amount up to $2,000, is awarded to a North Myrtle Beach High School Senior who maintains high moral principles, is trustworthy, and exhibits leadership qualities.

● Applicant must be accepted and attend either Coastal Carolina University (CCU) or Horry Georgetown Technical College (HGTC).
● A GPA above 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required.
● Applicant must show financial need.
● An essay of 200 words or less is required telling why you feel you should receive the scholarship.
● An official transcript must be included.
● Major in a business related field of study.
● Preference is given to students with some work history in the past two years.
● Nominations must be received through the guidance department at the applicant’s high school.

Sue’s Hope Scholarship
This is an annual scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to be awarded to a North Myrtle Beach High School or North Myrtle Beach Christian Academy Senior.

● Submit an essay, “Vision For My Future Education,” of no more than 500 words. Student essay should demonstrate: A sense of “hope” despite obstacles in student’s life, examples of challenges or obstacles student has overcome, and how student is trying to (or has already achieved) turning his or her life around.
● His or her potential, and his or her desire to succeed.
● School transcript with GPA of 2.5 or higher, on a 4.0 scale. (Note: This scholarship is not intended for the top performing academic student, but rather for the student who would be “left behind” because of finances, for not being the top performing academic student, or for some other obstacle.)
● Community service record from teacher in charge of all community service hours for graduating students.
● Official record of clubs, organizations, and individual achievements.
● Nominations must be received through the North Myrtle Beach High School Guidance Department or through the North Myrtle Beach Christian Academy Guidance Department.

Thomas W. Jones Memorial Scholarship
This renewable scholarship is to be awarded to a graduating high school senior or current student at the University of South Carolina’s School of Engineering.

● Applicant must attend the University of South Carolina enrolled in the School of Engineering.
● A GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required.
● Applicant must have ties to either Georgetown or Horry County.

Boone Foundation Scholarship
Boone Foundation Scholarship Awards are available to residents of South Carolina according to the following criteria.

● Preference to students from Horry County.
● Must be enrolled in a graduate degree program in law or the performing arts at the University of South Carolina, George Washington University, Converse College, or Winthrop University.
● Minimum grade point average of 3.5.
● Demonstrate financial need.
● Nominations must be received through the institution’s Office of Financial Aid.

For more information on the Waccamaw Community Foundation, visit waccamawcf.org.

About the Waccamaw Community Foundation
Since 1999, local philanthropists have turned to Waccamaw Community Foundation to effectively manage their giving and meet community needs. The organization serves many people who share a common concern: improving quality of life in Horry and Georgetown counties.

WCF makes charitable giving simple and effective by offering individuals creative ways to establish and manage funds that will positively impact the Waccamaw Region for generations to come. WCF also offers advice about projects and organizations, helping donors meet their philanthropic goals.

Waccamaw Community Foundation has made a lasting impact in Horry and Georgetown Counties. Through the generosity of donors, it has awarded more than $21 million in grants since the Foundation was established in 1999.

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