Students Receive Scholarships Through BCCC Foundation

The Beaufort County Community College Foundation is proud to announce the following scholarship recipients. The BCCC Foundation anticipates awarding $150,000 in scholarships during the 2018-2019 academic year.

John Blount Jr., 61, received the Darragh Foundation Scholarship. The Grimesland resident is part of the commercial truck driving program. The Son of John and Adell Blount of Plymouth and husband of Dedria Blount, he plans to start his own business. Blount attended Plymouth High School. Established in 1998 by Richard and Mildred Darragh, the Darragh family focuses on the impact of education in the communities it serves. The Darragh Foundation’s mission is “Helping to Improve the Lives of Others.” Scholarships from the foundation are awarded to Continuing Education students seeking their high school equivalency diploma and students working towards an industry-recognized credential returning to the workforce. Scholarships are awarded biannually and students must show academic promise and demonstrate need.

Donovan Coplin Sr. received the Darragh Foundation Scholarship. The New Bern resident is part of the commercial driver license truck driver training program. He is a father of two. Established in 1998 by Richard and Mildred Darragh, the Darragh family focuses on the impact of education in the communities it serves. The Darragh Foundation’s mission is “Helping to Improve the Lives of Others.” Scholarships from the foundation are awarded to Continuing Education students seeking their high school equivalency diploma and students working towards an industry-recognized credential returning to the workforce. Scholarships are awarded biannually and students must show academic promise and demonstrate need.

Christy Griffin, 38, received the Darragh Foundation Scholarship. The Martin County resident is part of the income maintenance worker program. She is a mother of one. Established in 1998 by Richard and Mildred Darragh, the Darragh family focuses on the impact of education in the communities it serves. The Darragh Foundation’s mission is “Helping to Improve the Lives of Others.” Scholarships from the foundation are awarded to Continuing Education students seeking their high school equivalency diploma and students working towards an industry-recognized credential returning to the workforce. Scholarships are awarded biannually and students must show academic promise and demonstrate need.

Ta’Sheria Keyes, 28, received the Darragh Foundation Scholarship. The Washington resident is part of the registered medical assistant program. She attended Washington High School, and holds an Associate in General Education.Keyes currently works as a sales associate at Walmart and plans to work in the medical field.Established in 1998 by Richard and Mildred Darragh, the Darragh family focuses on the impact of education in the communities it serves. The Darragh Foundation’s mission is “Helping to Improve the Lives of Others.” Scholarships from the foundation are awarded to Continuing Education students seeking their high school equivalency diploma and students working towards an industry-recognized credential returning to the workforce. Scholarships are awarded biannually and students must show academic promise and demonstrate need.

Nakira Smith, 32, received the Darragh Foundation Scholarship. The Winterville resident is part of the medical office specialist program. Smith attended Greene Central High School and plans to get a degree in health information technology. Daughter of Darryl and Linda Smith of Winterville, the mother of four currently works with A Caring Heart Case Management. Established in 1998 by Richard and Mildred Darragh, the Darragh family focuses on the impact of education in the communities it serves. The Darragh Foundation’s mission is “Helping to Improve the Lives of Others.” Scholarships from the foundation are awarded to Continuing Education students seeking their high school equivalency diploma and students working towards an industry-recognized credential returning to the workforce. Scholarships are awarded biannually and students must show academic promise and demonstrate need.

Johannes Van Essendelft, 18, received the Reid Sassnett and the Fenner Cox Scholarships. The Pantego resident is the son of Bernie Van Essendelft Sr., and he is working on his general studies as part of the PackTrac program. Van Essendelft attended Terra Ceia Christian Academy, and he works on his family farm which he plans to manage in the future. Established in 2015 by Paul and Amy Sasnett in memory of their son Reid, this endowment funds annual scholarships to provide educational opportunities for students demonstrating financial need. Reid was a sophomore at Pungo Christian Academy of Belhaven where he was a member of their FFA Chapter. He was also a member of Pinetown Volunteer Fire Department, BoCo Archery and the Carolina Truck Game. He was proud to be a member of the "Sasnett farming team." The Sasnett family wants to keep Reid’s memory alive and foster the growth of several programs that were special to him. Scholarships are made available to students in the agricultural program, fire & rescue training and emergency medical services.

Alma Vasquez Luis, 26, received the Darragh Foundation Scholarship. The Washington resident is part of the phlebotomy program. She attended Washington High School and is the daughter of Ana Luis Jarquin and Gustavo Vasquez of Washington. Established in 1998 by Richard and Mildred Darragh, the Darragh family focuses on the impact of education in the communities it serves. The Darragh Foundation’s mission is “Helping to Improve the Lives of Others.” Scholarships from the foundation are awarded to Continuing Education students seeking their high school equivalency diploma and students working towards an industry-recognized credential returning to the workforce. Scholarships are awarded biannually and students must show academic promise and demonstrate need.

Ana Vasquez Luis, 29, received the Darragh Foundation Scholarship. The Washington resident is part of the phlebotomy program, and she is a mother of one. Vasquez currently works as a cook at Backwater Jack’s. Established in 1998 by Richard and Mildred Darragh, the Darragh family focuses on the impact of education in the communities it serves. The Darragh Foundation’s mission is “Helping to Improve the Lives of Others.” Scholarships from the foundation are awarded to Continuing Education students seeking their high school equivalency diploma and students working towards an industry-recognized credential returning to the workforce. Scholarships are awarded biannually and students must show academic promise and demonstrate need.

For more information, contact Jen Seay at 252-940-6218.