The Country Club of North Carolina’s Foundation has inaugurated two programs that will provide financial assistance for post-high school education pursuits for staff members and/or dependents, and this year’s recipients have a distant North Carolina connection.
“The Foundation adeptly manages and enhances the Employee Assistance Fund, and these financial aid opportunities are all part of how CCNC gives back to our staff and the Sandhills community,” said CCNC COO/GM Don Hunter. “While we love being recognized for our golf and food and beverage operations, we want to make sure that our staff knows that we care about them and their families. These educational dollars speak volumes to that spirit.”
The Scholarship Initiative provides $6,000 per year for up to four years (maximum $24,000), and the 2023 recipients are both attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Diego Juarez, of Aberdeen, the son of 12-year housekeeping staff member Gonzala Mendoza, is a sophomore at UNC, majoring in biology (considering a minor in religion) with an eye on a career as a pharmacist. He is the fourth of four brothers to attend college.
“My first year, I had the feeling of the financial weight on my shoulders,” Juarez said. “Now, I can focus entirely on my studies. I have the feeling that I need to do better now because people have given faith in me. I need to respect that faith and carry through what they expect of me. I’d like to express my tremendous gratitude toward the CCNC donors who have helped make my college possible and my career path possible. It’s an amazing feeling to know that so many people are behind me and pushing me forward. I thank them a lot.”
Sabrina Shaw, of Pinebluff, the daughter of 10-year grounds staff member Kenneth Shaw, is a sophomore majoring in advertising and public relations and considering a minor in creative writing.
Sabrina Shaw and her parents/courtesy photo
“The CCNC Foundation scholarship has really implemented a spark for me to continue all the great things UNC has provided for me,” Shaw said. “As a first-generation college student, this is not a possibility for a lot of people. It almost wasn’t for me. So, I really appreciate all the donors of the CCNC Foundation scholarship for making this whole idea possible for me.
The Guarantor Program with Sandhills Community College was established to provide CCNC staff members with tuition and supply costs not covered by financial aid packages.
This year’s recipients are Angela McLean, who is working toward her degree in nursing, and Julia Graves, who began her nursing program at Sandhills C.C. this fall.
A third-party group selects the recipients after the Foundation submits candidates from the application process.
For the third time in 2023, the CCNC Foundation hosted a back-to-school supply ice cream social for children in pre-K through grade 12. During the event, much-needed school supplies were offered, along with ice cream.
Feature photo: Diego Juarez and Gonzala Mendoza/courtesy photo.
Contributed
