Riley Nazario
Being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar sounds perfect to Riley Nazario, and as an All County section leader mallet percussionist, she knows when the sound is right.
Nazario said her experiences during the Brinkley-Lane Scholars’ Selection Sunday event helped her choose ECU. She said she felt ECU was the place to best keep her motivated and that she saw a tremendous number of opportunities to learn and serve.
“That day solidified it for me,” she said. “I really like that Brinkley-Lane Scholars is like a school within a school. I am so ecstatic to go.”
Her high school graduating class has 55 students, so the size of the Brinkley-Lane Scholars program resonated with her.
Brinkley-Lane Scholars is the most prestigious undergraduate award program offered at ECU. The four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Recipients receive a fully funded education, covering the cost of tuition, fees, room and board for both in-state and out-of-state students and unique high impact experiences, as well as the ability to explore the world with a $5,000 study abroad stipend. Scholars benefit from access to an array of leadership opportunities, research with award-winning faculty and a robust alumni network.
Nazario plans to major in chemistry and wants to become a neuro-ophthalmologist.
She had a job shadowing opportunity with a retina specialist at Cape Fear Valley Eye Associates, where she observed procedures in clinics and operating rooms. That experience convinced her she wants to become an ophthalmologist. She wants to open her own private practice eventually.
In addition to chemistry, Nazario has interests in exploring other areas of science and participating in research in environmental science, such as gray water projects.
Nazario is excited about the study abroad opportunity she will have through Brinkley-Lane Scholars. She hopes to travel somewhere new, preferably Africa or Asia.
Nazario has a lot of interest in music and sports and hopes to continue those pursuits at ECU.
While her high school is too small for a marching band, she has been in All County and All District band.
“Band has been super important to me,” she said. “I play percussion and I have my own marimba. I would definitely like to find a way to continue music.”
Because her sister also plays, she will not bring her marimba to campus. She’s heard about a K-pop dance club on campus and is interested in that opportunity.
Nazario played tennis through high school and was varsity team captain as a senior. She said she loves working out and being involved in sports, so she plans to use the Student Recreation Center often.
Nazario, 17, is the daughter of Gregory ’95 and Susan ’96 Nazario of Fayetteville.
“I really like that Brinkley-Lane Scholars is like a school within a school. I am so ecstatic to go.”
High school: Massey Hill Classical High School
Intended major: Chemistry
Hometown: Fayetteville