Jamal Grace was driving home from his college transfer orientation at North Carolina Central University in Durham when he found out that he had won the Newman Education Achievement Award.
“I was surprised because I applied last year and didn’t win, so I didn’t think I was going to win this year,” Grace said. “I was happy and excited.”
The Guild at St. Joseph of the Pines presents the $500 award annually. It is open to any non-exempt St. Joseph of the Pines colleague (or their dependent), whether the colleague is full- or part-time, as long as they’ve been employed for at least one year and the applicant is attending high school or college.
Preference is made to applicants who demonstrate above-average grades and are planning a career in nursing, medical technology, or other health care field.
Grace, who graduated from Richmond Early College last month, starts classes at NCCU in August.
“My older brother went there and I used to visit him,” he said. “I really like the campus. I plan to major in biology and then go to pharmacy school. I interned at a pharmacy in Rockingham during my senior year in high school and found it to be fascinating work.”
Guild President Barbara Freemal said Grace “exemplifies the qualities we’re looking for, and then some.”
“Jamal has a strong track record of success and achievement that will continue in college,” Freemal said. “There is no doubt in my mind that he has an extremely bright future and will make the most of his opportunities.”
St. Joseph of the Pines is an aging services network offering a full continuum of retirement housing, health care and community-based services for older adults as well as community outreach to those in need. It is a Trinity Health Senior Community continuing the legacy of the Sisters of Providence.
Courtesy photo: L,R: Joan Haley, treasurer of The Guild at St. Joseph of the Pines, Newman Education Achievement Award winner Jamal Grace, and his father, James Grace.
Contributed.
