Sydney Hendricks

Sydney Hendricks is looking forward to building on her family ties to ECU by making new memories of her own.

“Both of my parents went to ECU,” she said. “I grew up here and did more research on it when I was choosing a college. The opportunities ECU had led me to pick this school.”

Hendricks, 17, of Ayden, will be one of 19 incoming freshmen entering ECU this fall as EC Scholars—the most prestigious academic scholarship program the university offers. She currently attends Ayden-Grifton High School.

Hendricks also earned a spot in this year’s Early Assurance program, which guarantees her a spot in the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University upon successful completion of her undergraduate degree. While she is still undecided on a major, she is said biology is the frontrunner for now. She hopes to eventually become a general practitioner.

Hendricks was thrilled to learn of her status as an EC Scholar. “It’s really an honor,” she said. “I look at it as what ECU wants students to do: get involved in all different kinds of things. It’s like they’re saying, ‘You’ve done awesome so far. Keep doing that at ECU.’”

Hendricks won’t leave any avenue for opportunity unexplored. She prides herself on getting involved in a variety of activities in high school that introduced her to new people and innovative ideas. “I don’t like to limit myself,” she said. “I’m interested in a little bit of everything, and I like it like this.”

During her high school years, she served as vice president of Health Occupations Students of America, treasurer of Future Business Leaders of America, and participated in Key Club, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta math honor society and volleyball. She attended the Health Science Academy, Business Technology Academy and the Honors Medicine Research program at the Brody School of Medicine. She also served as an American Red Cross blood-drive coordinator.

As an Early Assurance scholar, Hendricks will have access to experiences on the medical sciences campus that will prepare her for medical school. She will have the chance to learn the ropes from current medical students and attend seminars and professionalism courses. She also is looking forward to retreats and the Honors College’s living-learning community.

That will be a fresh take on how Hendricks has viewed ECU all her life. Her family has held season tickets to football games, and as a child she attended theatre productions and other events on campus. Coming to campus in a more official capacity will be a milestone, she said. “I think it’s going to be great,” she added. “I’m getting really excited about it.”

Before beginning her undergraduate years at ECU, Hendricks will spend the summer vacationing with her family, spending time with friends and attending Honors College kick-off events.

She is the daughter of Jeff and Allison Hendricks.