ECU awards top scholarships to three high school seniors

(June 5, 2002)   —   East Carolina University has awarded its top scholarships worth more than $20,000 apiece to three high school seniors. 

Andrew Lindsey Faircloth of Fayetteville, Andrea Vallie Scurry of Angier and William Robert Fannon Jr. of Gambrills, Md will each receive the Chancellor’s Award. The award is ECU’s most prestigious and recognizes academic achievement and potential for leadership by an entering freshman. Each recipient receives $20,000 for four years of study. In addition to the scholarship, the winners also receive a $1,000 Student Bookstore Scholarship and a $2,500 travel-abroad opportunity.

Dr. Thomas Powell, director of admissions for ECU, said a campus committee selected the winners from several hundred contenders who submitted applications that included SAT scores, references and personal essays. The selection committee was made up of faculty, administrators, alumni, and high school guidance counselors from North Carolina and Virginia.

“The competition for the awards was rigorous,” he said. In the pool of contenders for a total of 29 scholarships were 19 valedictorians and 22 salutatorians.

Grades and SAT scores were important factors in deciding the scholarship winners, Powell said, but strong consideration also was given to leadership experience. 

Information about each of the Chancellor Award recipients follows: Faircloth, a senior at Cape Fear High School in Fayetteville, wants to become an optometrist, but his “most singular goal” is to become a philanthropist and serve and help others. He is a member of his school’s Beta Club, National Honor Society, Service Club, Quiz Bowl team, and the Science, Math and Foreign Language clubs. He also edits the school’s newspaper — the Hoofbeat — sings in the chorus and plays the piano. He has rated superior in piano competition. Some of his other awards include a National Science Merit Award, All-American Scholar Award, Kiwanis Club Award for straight A’s and a National Leadership and Service Award. His parents are Andrew and Joan Faircloth of Fayetteville. 

Scurry is a senior and the valedictorian of her graduating class at Harnett Central High School. Her career goal is to practice law. She participates in numerous activities including student government, Beta Club, National Honor Society, the Service Club, the math and science clubs, debate team, drama club and the Law Competition Team. She is also a member of the school band and the basketball and volleyball teams. She has held summer jobs including tobacco farming, working at a fast food restaurant and modeling clothes through a professional modeling agency. For the past four years she has done volunteer work with the Harnett County Health Department providing services to families. Her parents are Angela Langdon Scurry of Angier and Donald Scurry of Elm City. 

Fannon, a student at Arundel High School, is active in athletics and church. He wants to be a physical therapist. He is a member of the basketball and track teams, is active in student government, and holds membership in the National Honor Society, the Service Club, the Quiz Bowl team and the Math Club. He says his two most significant activities include being an altar server for Our Lady of the Fields Church and being elected vice-president of the National Honor Society. He volunteers at his community’s teen club and serves on the club’s board of directors. He also assists with activities at the recreation center including refereeing basketball games. Fannon is the son of William and Patricia Fannon of Gambrills, Md.