ALBEMARLE — Nine students from Stanly County Community College were recipients of the Golden LEAF Scholarship program this year. The awards, which are distributed to North Carolina Community College System students, are given to those from rural, tobacco-dependent counties that may experience economic distress.
Students who receive the funds can use them to cover costs associated with their education, including tuition, books, transportation, childcare, fees and supplies. Both occupational and curriculum students can be awarded funds, and they can be applied to any semester of the school year.
As part of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with tobacco companies, the Golden LEAF Foundation was set up to help soften the blow of tobacco-related job loss, since the crop had been a major part of the North Carolina economy for generations. The nonprofit collaborates with government and educational institutions in the state to help transition the economy.
The students receiving scholarships through the program this year include:
Jahia Cole (Albemarle) Associate Degree Nursing
Matthew Reeder (New London) Basic Law Enforcement Training
Tavion Lipford (Eden) Early Childhood Education
Keshia Dowe (Badin) Human Services Technology
Jeffrey Hamilton (Polkton) Computer Integrated Machining
Uriel Osorio-Carbajal (Albemarle) Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology
Brittany Brooks (Locust) Associate Degree Nursing
Shawanna Long (Albemarle) Associate Degree Nursing
Matthew Osborne (New London) Computer Engineering Technology