Outer Banks Community Foundation Awards $250,150 In Scholarships

By Tatum Clements

​​In a world that is becoming increasingly expensive, scholarships play a vital role in making higher education more accessible, and as the Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF) wraps up another successful scholarship season, it is creating opportunities to help local students achieve their dreams.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the Outer Banks Community Foundation awarded 100 scholarships totaling $250,150 to 85 students. 

Of those 85 students, 33 were graduating seniors from Cape Hatteras Secondary School, Currituck High School, First Flight High School, Manteo High School, and Ocracoke School, and one was a local homeschool student.

For the first time ever, the Community Foundation’s most prestigious scholarship, The Milton A. Jewell Scholarship, was awarded to a homeschool student. 

“I am incredibly honored to be the recipient of the Milton A. Jewell Scholarship, and I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the donor’s generosity and support,” said homeschool senior Parker Doerr, who will be attending the University of North Carolina Wilmington this fall. “This scholarship will help me pursue my studies in Business and Marine Biology—an academic path that reflects my commitment to both environmental stewardship and educational outreach. Knowing that others believe in my potential gives me both encouragement and responsibility as I begin this next chapter. I am deeply grateful for your investment in my future, and I am committed to using my education to give back—both to my community and to the environment we all share.”

In addition to the seniors who just graduated, OBCF has granted financial support to three College of The Albemarle graduates who are pursuing four-year degrees, two nontraditional students, and 46 current college students with multi-year scholarships. 

Each scholarship that was awarded this year was made possible by the 70+ scholarship funds that are managed by the Community Foundation for families, businesses, civic organizations, nonprofits, individuals, and groups across the region. 

“It is remarkable to see our scholarship applications and the number of donor awards increase every year, and that is a testament to our amazing community,” said OBCF Scholarship Committee Chair Robin Mann. “The gratitude expressed from students, parents and families is heartwarming and encouraging! On behalf of our scholarship committees, staff and all of our Board of Directors, congratulations to our 2025 scholarship recipients, and much appreciation to all of our fund establishers who make these awards possible.”

The Community Foundation introduced eight new scholarship funds this academic year, each with diverse priorities and unique eligibility criteria. 

The inaugural Ray Gray, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, which is only eligible for Hatteras Island students, was awarded to Cape Hatteras Secondary School senior Elizabeth Fairbanks, who will be attending Clemson University to study engineering this fall. 

“It was not only an immense pleasure to receive the Ray Gray, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, but also one to honor Ray Gray himself,” said scholarship recipient Elizabeth Fairbanks. “Though I was never taught by him, he was a pillar of kindness and light in our community. He was one that pushed those around him to do their best, and now at school, I will hold myself to the highest standards of dignity and passion. It has recently been said to me that the most successful people are those who stay curious and creative, and I believe these are qualities that Ray Gray embodied. I am eternally grateful for this scholarship opportunity.”

Another new Hatteras-specific scholarship, The Love of Learning Scholarship, was awarded to Cape Hatteras Secondary School senior Kirra Ensenat who will be attending Western Carolina University.

Ocracoke School senior Noah O’Neal received the inaugural Ocracoke Friends of the Library Scholarship. O’Neal will be studying business at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

2025 marked the first year that a student was awarded the Doug and Maureen King Scholarship, which gives preference to students with a learning difference. First Flight High School senior Skye Hall received the scholarship, and she will be studying graphic design at East Carolina University this fall. 

First Flight High School senior Annie Coyle was also awarded a new OBCF scholarship from the Vocational Opportunity Fund, which was established to support trade-focused students. 

“I sincerely thank you for selecting me as a recipient of the Vocational Opportunity Fund for Northeastern North Carolina,” said scholarship recipient Annie Coyle, who will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study dental hygiene. “As a first-generation college student, receiving this scholarship means more than I can fully express. It not only helps ease the financial burden of attending college, but also reminds me that there are people who believe in my goals and want to see students like me succeed. Your generosity gives me the encouragement and motivation to keep pushing forward and to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way.”

The Joe Riddick Trade & Technical Scholarship is another new scholarship fund that was created to support students pursuing trades. First Flight High School senior Trace Riden received this scholarship and he will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Welding & Fabrication Engineering Technology at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Nags Head resident Karen DelVacchio created the Helping Hand Cookie Jar Scholarship Fund for nontraditional students pursuing further education or new skills, and the fund awarded two renewable scholarships for the first time this year. Donny Scarborough will attend Centura College to earn her Medical Assistant and Limited-Scope Radiography Certification, and Hannah Wallace will complete her Associate’s Degree in Emergency Medical Science through Wake Tech Community College’s online program. 

The inaugural Healthcare Professional Scholarship was awarded to First Flight High School senior Emerson Mann in May. This renewable scholarship fund was established for students who plan to pursue a healthcare profession. Mann will be going to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study biomedical engineering. 

Whether studying dental hygiene, radiography, engineering, business, or marine biology, all of these students will begin their next educational journey knowing that they have support from the Community Foundation as well as the fund establishers who make their scholarships possible. 

It has never been easier for you to make a real impact in our community. At the Outer Banks Community Foundation, there are countless ways to get involved in philanthropy, and one of the simplest and most effective is creating a fund. When you establish a scholarship fund with the Outer Banks Community Foundation, you can choose the name of the scholarship, the eligibility criteria, and the award amount. The Community Foundation administers and manages all fiscal aspects of the fund, and, if you wish, the application, selection, and award processes as well. Start your journey today and make a lasting difference in the lives of those around you. 

For more information about creating or contributing to a charitable fund, please visit OBCF.org or call (252) 423-3003.

About the Outer Banks Community Foundation: The Outer Banks Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to fostering philanthropy and supporting local causes. Through its charitable funds and grant programs, the Foundation strives to enrich the quality of life for residents of the Outer Banks.