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8 people in a collage
Cutline: (Top, left to right) Leeann Beardsley, Laquesta Bond, Leela Dewitt, and Lashay Distance. (Bottom, left to right) Lindsey Duke, Kristen Hardison, Lisa Koch, and Logan Sullivan.

BCCC Foundation announces more scholarship recipients



The Beaufort County Community College Foundation is proud to announce the following scholarship recipients for the Fall 2021 semester. Registration for the Spring 2022 semester ends Dec. 10. While the Beaufort Promise covers all tuition and fees through May 2023, students can apply for scholarships to cover the cost of textbooks.

Leeann Beardsley, 33, received the Tayloe Memorial & Doris Eakes Endowment Scholarships. The New Bern resident is a licensed practical nursing student. Beardsley attended New Bern High School, and she is a mother of one. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in Health Science with a specialty in Medical Assisting.

Mrs. Sam Tim (Tay) Carter, with encouragement from her children Libba, Lou, Clay, and Mary, started the Tayloe Family Endowment in 2003, in memory of her grandfather, Dr. David Thomas Tayloe. The endowment also honors his numerous descendants who have made significant contributions to the medical community of Beaufort County. Scholarships generated by this endowment are awarded to BCCC students enrolled in any medically related program.

Doris Wallace Eakes, originally from Beaufort County, started this endowment to memorialize her father, Carmer Wallace, and her husband Joseph Eakes. Doris and her husband owned numerous nursing homes and shared a passion for good nursing care. Thus, the proceeds from this endowment support nursing scholarships.

Laquesta Bond, 40, received the Vidant Health Scholarship. The Bertie County resident is part of the licensed practical nurse (LPN) program. Bond attended Bertie High School. She is currently a full-time student. She plans to become an LPN and work at the VA (Veterans Affairs) Hospital. Bond is the daughter of Jeanette and Stanley Bond and is a mother of one.

The Vidant Beaufort Health Scholarship is available to qualified students from nursing, MLT, nursing assistant, phlebotomy and any other curriculum or continuing education medical-related field.

Leela Dewitt, 18, received the Tayloe’s Hospital Pharmacy Scholarship. The Plymouth resident is working toward an Associate Degree in Nursing. Dewitt attended Northside High School. She plans to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and work in a hospital.

Tayloe’s Hospital Pharmacy Medical Scholarships are awarded annually to students pursuing a career in the medical field. Tayloe’s Hospital Pharmacy is now known as O’Neal’s Pharmacy. Qualifying students will have a 2.5 GPA or greater and must be a resident of Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell or Washington County. Students must demonstrate financial need.

Lashay Distance, 36, received the James Franklin & Hannah Bagwell Scholarship. The Washington resident is a pre-nursing student. Distance attended Washington High School and plans to become a registered nurse. The mother of four is currently a fabricator at V.T. Hackney. She is the spouse of Naquona Distance and holds a massage therapy license.

Established in 1997, this endowment funds annual scholarships in memory of William Riley and Rosa Watson Roberson and William “Bill” Roberson Bagwell. The recipients of these awards must be high school or GED graduates enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program, must demonstrate financial need, and must show academic promise.

Lindsey Duke, 30, received the WoodmenLife 623 Scholarship. The Washington resident is part of the nursing program. Duke attended Pungo Christian Academy and is currently working as a laboratory technician at Vidant Medical Center. She plans to become a certified diabetes educator. Duke also holds an Associate of Applied Sciences in Medical Lab Technology. Duke is the daughter of Randy Duke of Greenville and Jamie Davis of Belhaven, and she is the wife of Brad Cumston.

Established in 2016, WoodmenLife scholarships are awarded to students residing in Beaufort County who demonstrate financial need and strong academic promise. Scholarships are awarded annually for fall and spring semesters.

Kristen Hardison, 20, received the Frances M. Barnes Trust Scholarship. The Williamston resident is part of the nursing program. Hardison attended Bear Grass Charter School. She plans to get her Master of Science in Nursing.

Frances M. Barnes Trust scholarships are awarded to Martin County curriculum and continuing educations attending BCCC who intend to reside and work in Martin County upon course completion. Students must meet respective scholarship guidelines for the curriculum or continuing education program of study, show satisfactory academic progress and demonstrate financial need.

Lisa Koch, 33, received the Bunyan Ruritan Scholarship. The Greenville resident is a nursing student. She attended Troy High School and plans to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Koch earned a Bachelor of Arts. She is the daughter of Kathy and Bruce Koch.

Established in 1991, Bunyan Ruritan Club scholarships are awarded to students residing in BCCC service area who demonstrate financial need and strong academic promise. Scholarships are awarded annually for fall and spring semesters.

Logan Sullivan, 19, received the BCCC Board of Trustees Scholarship. The Washington resident is pursuing an Associate in Science. He attended Washington High School and currently works as a server at Ribeyes. Sullivan has plans to get married and become a physical education teacher. He is the son of Jody and Macon Sullivan

The BCCC Board of Trustees Scholarship was established in 1998 by the Board of Trustees to assist a full-time student enrolled in a curriculum program. Recipient must be in good academic standing, show academic promise and demonstrate financial need.  Students should have a minimum GPA of 3.0.


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