RCC Foundation announces 2019 Presidential Scholars
ASHEBORO — Five outstanding Randolph County high school students have been chosen in a competitive process as Presidential Scholars at Randolph Community College for the 2019-2020 school year. Jessie Holmes from Asheboro High School, Joanna Harrelson and Lauren Regan, both from Southwestern Randolph High School; Melanie Garner from Faith Christian School, and Abigail Barker from Uwharrie Charter Academy will receive two-year RCC scholarships through the Presidential Scholars program funded by the Randolph Community College Foundation.
Randolph Community College recently selected its Presidential Scholars for the 2019-20 school year. Pictured, left to right with RCC President Dr. Robert Shackleford Jr., are Jessie Holmes (Asheboro High School), Joanna Harrelson (Southwestern Randolph High School), Lauren Regan (Southwestern Randolph High School), Melanie Garner (Faith Christian School), and Abigail Barker (Uwharrie Charter Academy).
High school students from public, private, and home schools throughout Randolph County were invited to apply for the scholarships. Students who met the preliminary requirements were invited to attend a Presidential Scholars Day at RCC on March 12, where they learned more about the College and were interviewed by a committee of faculty and staff members. Finalists were chosen and invited back for a second interview with RCC President Robert Shackleford Jr., who made the final choice of five recipients.
Students’ academic records and extracurricular/community activities weighed in to the selection of recipients, as did the interviews.
RCC Presidential Scholars receive a $2,500 scholarship for their first year of study ($1,250 for fall and $1,250 for spring) that is renewable for their second year of study. The students have the opportunity to serve as Ambassadors for the College, and meet regularly with President Shackleford.
Jessie Holmes of Asheboro plans to major in nursing and has been active in the Junior ROTC, serving as NCO of logistics, logistics commander, drill team member, and awareness presentation team member. She is also a member of the Park Street Ensemble and Comitonix, an Asheboro High School a capella group.
Joanna Harrelson of Asheboro plans to work on a college transfer degree with plans to become a physician assistant. She has been active in the Beta Club and has served as a Sunday School teacher with St. John’s Lutheran Church in Asheboro.
Lauren Regan of Asheboro also is seeking a college transfer degree. She has served as a student volunteer at Randolph Health and is a graduate of the Asheboro-Randolph Chamber of Commerce Student LIFT program.
Melanie Garner of Ramseur is very active in 4-H activities, having shown dairy cattle for many years and participated in the Dairy Quiz Bowl, serving as captain of three state and two national junior teams and three national and one state senior team. She is a member of the high school ensemble and the Echoes of Faith Handbell Choir at Faith Christian.
Abigail Barker of Asheboro plans to major in interior design and is a Beta Club member. She plays basketball and is also a member of the advanced vocal ensemble.
The RCC Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides a margin of excellence for Randolph Community College by building a strong relationship with the local community, acquiring and managing contributions, and funding activities that support the College.