News Summary
The Outer Banks Community Foundation awarded $250,150 in scholarships to 85 students for the 2025-2026 academic year, reflecting a commitment to support local educational initiatives. Notable recipients include high school graduates and nontraditional students pursuing various fields, showcasing the foundation’s dedication to enhancing educational opportunities within the community. With the introduction of new scholarship funds, OBCF aims to meet diverse needs, furthering its mission to uplift local students as they pursue their academic goals.
Outer Banks, NC – The Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF) has awarded a remarkable total of $250,150 in scholarships to 85 students for the 2025-2026 academic year. This funding aims to support local students in achieving their educational aspirations and marks a significant commitment to community development through education.
Among the recipients, 33 graduates from local high schools received scholarships, including students from Cape Hatteras Secondary School, Currituck High School, First Flight High School, Manteo High School, and Ocracoke School. Notably, Parker Doerr, a local homeschool student, was awarded the prestigious Milton A. Jewell Scholarship, achieving a milestone as the first homeschool student to earn this honor. Parker plans to pursue studies in Business and Marine Biology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
The OBCF’s scholarships not only benefit high school seniors but also extend to support three graduates from the College of The Albemarle who are pursuing four-year degrees, two nontraditional students, and 46 current college students who hold multi-year scholarships. This comprehensive support underscores OBCF’s mission to assist a diverse array of learners in their academic journeys.
Throughout this academic year, OBCF has introduced eight new scholarship funds, each with distinct priorities and eligibility criteria, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to addressing various community needs. These funds originate from generous contributions made by local families, businesses, and civic organizations. With this expansive network of support, OBCF currently manages over 70 scholarship funds aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for local students.
The awarded scholarships include the inaugural Ray Gray Jr. Memorial Scholarship presented to Elizabeth Fairbanks, a senior at Cape Hatteras Secondary School, who will be studying engineering at Clemson University. Kirra Ensenat, also from Cape Hatteras Secondary School, received the Love of Learning Scholarship and will be attending Western Carolina University. Noah O’Neal, another senior graduating from Ocracoke School, will receive the Ocracoke Friends of the Library Scholarship and plans to study business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Additional notable awards include the Doug and Maureen King Scholarship, which focuses on assisting students with learning differences. This scholarship was given to Skye Hall, a senior from First Flight High School, who intends to pursue a degree in graphic design at East Carolina University. Annie Coyle, another First Flight High School senior, received a scholarship from the Vocational Opportunity Fund to study dental hygiene at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Furthermore, Trace Riden from First Flight High School was awarded the Joe Riddick Trade & Technical Scholarship to study Welding & Fabrication Engineering Technology at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Nontraditional students also benefited from OBCF’s efforts, with two renewable scholarships awarded from the Helping Hand Cookie Jar Scholarship Fund to Donny Scarborough and Hannah Wallace. The inaugural Healthcare Professional Scholarship was awarded to Emerson Mann, who is studying biomedical engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The OBCF remains dedicated to increasing the impact of philanthropy within the community. Through its scholarship programs and fund management, the foundation strives to promote local causes and provide essential support to students in need. Community members are encouraged to either establish new charitable funds or contribute to existing ones, thereby supporting local students and causes effectively.
As the academic year unfolds, the commitment of the OBCF to supporting educational initiatives offers hope and resources to numerous students pursuing their dreams, demonstrating a strong investment in the future of the Outer Banks community.
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Additional Resources
- Outer Banks Community Foundation Awards $250,150 in Scholarships
- Wikipedia: Scholarship
- OBAR Awards $12,000 in Scholarships to Local Students
- Google Search: Outer Banks scholarships
- Outer Banks Community Foundation Awards More Than $190K in Scholarships
- Google Scholar: local scholarships
- Outer Banks Community Foundation Awards Nearly $175K in Scholarships
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Scholarship (Educational Funding)
- Outer Banks Community Foundation Awards $192,000 in Scholarships
- Google News: Outer Banks Community Foundation
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
