Thirteen Wayne students awarded Teaching Fellows Scholarships
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on April 10, 2011 1:50 AM
Thirteen students from Wayne County Public Schools have been awarded North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarships.
Each year, 500 scholarships are presented to outstanding students with aspirations of becoming educators. The $26,000 scholarship loan from the state is broken down into four $6,500 annual increments. The full loan is forgiven after the Fellow completes four years of teaching in North Carolina public schools or U.S. government schools located in the state.
In addition, recipients take part in unique academic and summer enrichment programs during their college careers.
This year's local Teaching Fellows represent six area high schools.
*From Charles B. Aycock, Lauren Gooding, Jessica Nicole Hare, Anna Katherine Knotts and Derek Kyle Limbaugh
*Eastern Wayne, Stacie Nicole Gates and Zachary Allen Parrish
*Goldsboro High, Stephany Daniella Taylor
*Rosewood High, Kelly Ariel Best and Briona Sharyce Jackson
*Southern Wayne High, Zachary David S. Grantham
*Wayne Early/Middle College High, Marrisa Nicole Higginbotham, Jeremy Heath Radford and Cody Bryan Scrufari.
Four alternates were also chosen: Kalyn Marie George from CBA, Emily Allison Kaspar from Eastern Wayne, Melinda Joy Godwin from Southern Wayne, and Lauren Elizabeth Breindel from Wayne Early/Middle College.
The Teaching Fellows program was created by the General Assembly in 1986, upon the recommendation of the Public School Forum of North Carolina. The fellowship program remains one of the top teacher recruiting programs in the nation.
Earning the prestigious fellowship is a highly competitive process, said Dr. Steve Taylor, schools superintendent.
"By becoming a Teaching Fellow, these students have shown that they exemplify the qualities necessary to become excellent educators," he said. "We commend them for their achievement and wish them continued success in their education."
Recognized earlier last week at the school board meeting, board member Eddie Radford presented each with a certificate of recognition.
"As a (former) principal, it was always great to see students like you come in for jobs," he told the group.
The announcement is something board member Rick Pridgen looks forward to each year, he said.
"When they graduate, just remember -- Wayne County, Wayne County, Wayne County," he said. "I would love to see them come back here to work."