Carly Jarvis

Carly Jarvis is dedicated to service, having spent more than 10 years helping others, and she plans to continue to impact lives in the future. While at East Carolina University, Jarvis will major in secondary English education with the goal of becoming a high school English teacher.

“Literature opens the door for complex discussions and discusses true-to-life topics that must be addressed entering adulthood,” Jarvis said. “English teachers have such a profound impact on the lives of students. To be able to impact students so deeply is an honor, and high schoolers need teachers who will invest in their lives – I aspire to that.”

The 17-year-old senior from Wake Forest is a student at Franklin Academy and is the daughter of Beth and Steve Jarvis. She is one of 20 freshmen entering ECU this fall as an EC Scholar, the most prestigious undergraduate academic scholarship program offered at the university.

“Being an EC Scholar means caring deeply not only about academics but the community and our world,” Jarvis said. “It is the honor of being part of a tightly knit community that wishes to grow together and push each other to be better. It is a multitude of opportunities just waiting to be taken.”

For Jarvis, her love of ECU began early in life.

“My love for ECU originated with my older sister,” Jarvis said. “She is 19 years my senior and attended ECU for a while before I was born. Following my birth, she moved home to be closer to us. She instilled in me a love for all things purple and gold, and I fell in love with the school.”

As part of her EC Scholars scholarship, Jarvis looks forward to studying abroad.

“Previously, I’ve had the chance to spend a few days in the city of Barcelona, and I hope that the opportunity to study abroad will take me back to Spain,” Jarvis said. “It is a beautiful, culturally rich country, and it would aid me in my desire to learn the Spanish language.”

At Franklin Academy, Jarvis is active in organizations and her community. She has served as president of the National Spanish Honor Society, co-president of the poetry club and captain of the varsity women’s golf team. She is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Junior Civitan Club, Bridge Building Club, DECA, Young Women’s Empowerment Club and many honor societies.

Within her community, Jarvis has served as a volunteer for the non-profit charity Spare Some for Autism for 10 years. She has volunteered for eight years at the Shiloh Farms horse farm and most recently spent a year volunteering for the Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry.

While at ECU, Jarvis looks forward to continuing her involvement in student organizations, especially those that are faith-based and those that will help along her career path.

The EC Scholars merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Recipients receive an Honors College scholarship for four years, along with a stipend for study abroad, for a total value of nearly $62,000.