WILMINGTON, N.C. – The North Carolina Azalea Festival is proud to announce the recipients of the 2015 North Carolina Azalea Festival Endowed Scholarship. This year, there are four Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) students who will receive money towards continuing their education:
Anthony Rodriquez, shortly after graduating from high school, enlisted in the Coast Guard. After completing six years of service as a machinery technician, Rodriquez enrolled at CFCC in the ADN Nursing program, and is in the process of finishing his last semester. He understands the value of community service, as he volunteers as a dishwasher at the Good Shepherd Center. “I know that if I want to live in a better place, I have to actively engage in services that are beneficial to others and uplift the community,” Rodriquez says.
From Left to Right: Dr. Stephen Meinhold, Jonathan D. Hedge, Jean A. Lawler, Darcell King, Liz Carroll, Anthony Rodriquez, Janet Ledford, Robby Collins, Justin Wolfe (Not pictured: Bliss Koenig)
Darcell King is an eighteen-year-old student attending CFCC, and is planning to graduate with an Associate Degree in Science. Her goal is to complete the Sonography program and further her career in Cardiovascular Sonography. King learned the benefits of community service, character, and academic goals at an early age while attending Isaac Bear Early College. She has previous volunteer experience with the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Pine Valley Elementary School, and Needham Animal Hospital, to name a few.
Janet Ledford is attending CFCC as a full time student in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program. Ledford has maintained honor roll throughout her time at the college, and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. In addition, she is a mother of four children. Her dedication to her family and her education is making an impact on her children as she strives to be an excellent role model.
Bliss Koenig is currently enrolled in the Nursing transfer program at CFCC, and she plans to graduate in the summer of 2015 with her Associate Degree in order to transfer to UNCW. Koenig works hard as a server at Hieronymus Seafood Restaurant and enjoys building new relationships. She is grateful for her educational experience thus far, and expects this scholarship opportunity to further develop her educational goals.
For more information on the Annual North Carolina Azalea Festival, visit www.ncazaleafestival.org or contact Executive Director Alison Baringer at alison@ncazaleafestival.org or (910) 216-9400.
Since its inception in 1948, the North Carolina Azalea Festival has blossomed into an extended weekend celebration that attracts more than 300,000 people and generates more than $51 million for the local economy. The festival showcases our community’s rich array of artwork, gardens, history and culture through recreational, educational and family-oriented events.
