They have all kinds of aspirations, from helping people with disabilities to video editing and singing. They come from many different locations in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. All of them have a proven record of service or leadership in their communities. And each of them received $1,000 from Self-Help Credit Union as they pursue vocational school or college.
Congratulations, Self-Help Scholars! Here are this year’s winners:
Tarod Brown - Rocky Mount, NC
Tarod will attend Winston-Salem State University, majoring in physical therapy. His goals are to become a physical therapist and help athletes with major injuries.
James Burgess - Brevard, NC
James plans to attend Blue Ridge Community College in the fall, studying forestry or natural resource management. James’ goal is to obtain his associates degree, and then transfer to a four-year university to continue his studies.
Briana Butler - Windsor, NC
Briana has been accepted to Beaufort Community College and will pursue a degree in nursing. Her goal is to become a certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Ta-Taya Campbell - Greenville, SC
Ta-Taya has been accepted to Winthrop University and will pursue a major in psychology. Her long-term career goal is to be a therapist to help families.
Thomas Crocker - Greensboro, NC
Thomas will attend Western Carolina University to pursue a degree in Natural Resources and Conservation Management. He would like to work for the NC Resources Commission or the National Parks services as an ecologist or a wildlife rehabilitator.
Laken Crockett - Galax, VA
Laken will attend Emory and Henry College, majoring in exercise science and physical therapy. She wants to become a Physical Therapist and work in an environment specializing in amputees.
Moriah Fender - Hendersonville, NC
Moriah will attend the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill to study public health. Her goal is to be a medical missionary with an obstetrician-gynecologist specialty.
Kevin Fernandez - Jacksonville, FL (Jax Metro - JEA Tower)
Kevin will attend either Florida State College of Jacksonville or Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary, studying Business Administration with a minor in Theology. He would like to advance his career in business and progress into management.
Arianna Guy - Old Fort, NC
Arianna will attend Gardner-Webb University, where she plans to pursue her doctorate in missiology. Her long-term goals are to become a missionary and a non-profit professional.
Louis Harrison, II - Durham, NC (S. Mangum)
Louis has been accepted to the University of North Carolina and will pursue a degree in biology. His long-term goal is to become a physician.
Renato Hernandez - Pierson, FL
Renato has been accepted to Daytona State College, and will be studying welding technology. His goal is to become a certified Industrial Welder.
Calee Lance - Rosman, NC
Calee will attend Gardner-Webb University, where she plans to pursue studies leading to work with the FBI.
Thomas Loftin-Myers - Kinston, NC
Thomas has been accepted to Methodist University, majoring in sports medicine. His long-term goal is to attend graduate school and ultimately work as an athletic trainer.
Michael McMullen, Jr. - Durham, NC (W. Main)
Michael will attend Shaw University Divinity School, where he will major in Divinity, Theology. His long-term goal is to be a qualified mental health professional and a certified pastoral counselor.
Jordan Robinson - Asheville, NC
Jordan plans to attend Barton College in the fall, studying physical therapy. Jordan’s long-term goals are to be a professional football player or a physical therapist.
Cristina Rodriguez-Rosario - Apopka, FL
Cristina will attend the University of Central Florida to pursue her bachelors in social work. Her goal is to give back to her community as a social worker in the same ways she has received help.
Sharonda Smith - Laurinburg, NC
Sharonda will attend the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, studying criminal justice. Her goals are to advance in her current career and create more preventive programs for youth.
Morgan Strickland - Jacksonville, FL (Jax Metro- Kendall)
Morgan will attend Valdosta State University this fall, studying Vocal Performance. Long-term, she will obtain her Doctorate in Vocal Performance and become a professor of applied voice and vocal pedagogy. Currently, she plans to direct operas at the college where she is now employed.
Shanda Taylor - Charlotte, NC
Shanda plans to attend McDowell Technical Community College to pursue her Bachelors in Nursing. Her goal is to start an adult day care facility that will assist families who wish to keep their loved ones at home.
James White - Lexington, NC
James plans to further his education at Forsyth Technical Community College, majoring in Automotive Technology. His long-term goal is to own and operate a community vehicle garage.
Alysia Williams - Jacksonville, FL (Jax Metro - Lenox)
Winners not pictured:
Candida Alas-Ortega - South Asheville, NC
Candida will attend Barry University to receive her Associate of Science, and then transfer to UNC-Charlotte. She will study biology, and pre-medicine. Her goals are to attend optometry school and open her own practice.
Christina Boykin - Columbia, SC (Garrett)
Christina will attend the College of Charleston, majoring in nursing. Her goal is to have a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner.
Angel Gohel - Columbia, SC (Main)
Angel has been accepted at Rochester Institute of Technology, studying biochemistry. Long-term, she hopes to work as a laboratory technician in the medical field and/or become a professor.
Addyson Ikard - Maiden, NC
Addyson has been accepted to attend Lees-McRae College, studying either medical or elementary education. Her goal is to successfully earn her degree to enable her to advance in her future career.
Anthony Mutino- Jacksonville, FL (Jax Metro- 27th St.)
Anthony will attend either Full Sail University or Jacksonville University, studying film production. His goals are to work as a video editor and employ other related skills. He is also interested in becoming a leader of his youth group.
And a few more winners:
Cameron Johnson - Morganton, NC; Isley Pulliam - Wilmington, NC; Allison Michelle Shingleton - Wilson, NC.
Congratulations to you all!