Class of 2023

Cape Hatteras Secondary graduates go forth CLASS OF 2023

By Mary Helen Goodloe-Murphy mhgm@thecoastlandtimes.com

On Saturday night, June 10, 48 Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies seniors received high school diplomas.

The William P. Dillon Memorial campus gymnasium was filled with family members and friends of the soon-to-be graduates. Some journeyed many miles to see a loved one graduate. Three family members traveled from Peru.

It was a light-hearted evening. Speakers spoke with humor and meaning. Applause and some shouts rang out when individuals were called to walk across the stage. After the ceremony, families gathered around graduates. Generations of families were photographed, inside the gymnasium and outside on the freshly-mown athletic field.

The 24-member graduation band played the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” for the processional. A unit from the United States Coast Guard presented the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the National Anthem was played by the band.

And then, the program started with class president Molly Hanburger in English and Alan Garcia in Spanish issuing the welcome and a recitation of events that brought the Class of 2023 to the ceremony. Hanburger welcomed folks, including “high powered” people not known to her.

She remembered the pandemic, bonfires and breakfast at the first jetty when weather didn’t cooperate. She announced that the class had reeled in over $600,000 in scholarships and told the audience they could

applaud at that. The audience did and then applauded when Hanburger listed other accomplishments. She closed with life-long wisdom learned in kindergarten.

Earning special recognition at commencement was valedictorian Casia Enseñat, who will attend Appalachian State University to study nursing. She received $34,500 in scholarships. She addressed her remarks to her classmates. “We’ve come so far.”

Enseñat came to Hatteras Island. She said the class was family and accepted her into that family. She encouraged her classmates going forward on a new chapter: “don’t be scared … find you people. Find your purpose.”

Salutatorian Oralia Alice Cirisa will attend Long Island University to study veterinary science. She received a $128,000 recognition scholarship from the university. She honored her mother, who left family behind to come to Hatteras Island. “My mom is my hero.”

She thanked her teachers for their dedication to education and her classmates, who welcomed her into the second grade when she couldn’t speak English and was shy.

The Citizenship Award for the class was presented by Principal Beth Rooks to Addyson Mae Wilson. Rooks described the recipient as extremely quiet but inspires and leads behind the scenes. She kept books for Cape Hatteras athletic teams and worked at the Fessenden Center. At 12, she participated in a field service trip to Uganda and in 2019 went to Zambia to help villages through her church.

The keynote speaker was middle school teacher A.J. Gazda, who delivered the address for the class for its eighth grade promotion event. The Class of 2023 was his first class as a teacher of middle school history. Six years on, he admitted it’s still his favorite class. He shared all of Desiderata by Max Ehrmann, written in 1927. The opening lines are “Go placidly amid the noise and the

haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.”

Class sponsor Karla Jarvis called the seniors forward. Rooks handed the bound diploma to each student. Closing remarks were delivered by Alexis Zavala-Roldan in English and Yelsin Selvin in Spanish. “Let us choose wisely … Look forward with hope and determination.”

Some 21 students in the Class of 2023 received 72 scholarships totaling $610,500 for post-secondary education. The scholarships were presented by 51 organizations, businesses, families and colleges.

Two young men were absent from the ceremony. Ethen Robert Lord has already joined AmeriCorps and Declan Michael McMahon is already serving in the United States Air Force and has recently graduated from boot camp.

Two other classmates will serve the nation: Garland Thompson Midgette III is already sworn into the United States Marine Corps. Berendt Exner Johnson V will join the United States Coast Guard.

Dare Schools Superintendent Stephen G. Basnight stood at the top of the stage stairs to shake the hand of every class member. He made remarks before declaring the Cape Hatteras Secondary Class of 2023 graduates. Dare County Board of Education members attending the ceremony were Chairman Ron C. Payne, Vice Chairman Barry L. Wickre, Mary Ellon Ballance, Matt Brauer, David Twiddy and Carl Woody. Susan Bothwell was ill. Assistant Superintendent Steven G. Blackstock also attended.

Helping Rooks with the awarding diplomas was Assistant Principal Annette Peele, who looked at each diploma to make sure it was the correct one for the student. This was Peele’s last graduation, as she is retiring.

Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies, Class of 2023

Kara Ashleigh Ammons, Shayley Kay Ballance, Sayler June Bacon, Lucas Hardy Blankenship, Evela Marie Chandler, Oralia Alice Cirisa, John Frank Conner IV, Gideon James Couch, Jonathan Lee De Oliveira, John Cody Denton, Misty May Elder, Casia Marie Enseñat, Amerika Mae Farrow, Chloe Elizabeth Flythe, William Ross Francis, Alan Garcia Velazquez, Molly Brent Hanburger, Dean Russell Hild, Trafford Hill IV, Fany Yamileth Inestroza Ramirez, Berendt Exner Johnson V, Jonah McKinley Jordan, Preston Joseph Kaiser, Emma Trisha-Marie Kusnier, River Colton Lester, Lizibeth Lopez-Lozano, Cami Allison Lord, Ethen Robert Lord, and Andrea Delmarie Lucas-Lopez. Also, Diego Macias Rodriguez, Madison Jean Mathis, Landon Fisher McKnew, Declan Michael McMahon, John David Metacarpa III, Garland Thompson Midgette III, Courtney Anne Mugford, Christina Joy O’Neal, Maleia Kennedy Quidley, Lilian Hui Ratliff, Jason Rochin Torres, Yelsin Hernandez Selvan, Grace Marie Shoemaker, Malia Jade Speedy, Ansley Myrick Thompson, Gavin Monroe Thompson, Dylan Matthew Watters, Addyson Mae Wilson and Alexis Zavala-Roldan.

MARY HELEN GOODLOE-MURPHY PHOTO

The Cape Hatteras Secondary Class of 2023 awaits the start of Commencement in the William P. Dillon Memorial campus gymnasium June 10, 2023. All 48 members of the class graduated from high school. Class members reeled in $610,500 for post-secondary education.

Class of 2023

First Flight High School 2023 graduates

VincentJuhl Albanese, Piper Lynn Allison, Maria Elisa Argueta, Maria Helen Argueta, Maria Fernanda Argueta, Chloe Teagan Ash, N Griffin Ward Ash, Richel Alexandra Atencio Pereira, Blake William Austin, Walter Ethan Ball, Ava Jewel Barlow, Alexandra Grace Beasley, Courtney Nicole Beasley-Cooper, Emely Nohemy Bejarano, Lara Maria Antonella Bellio Garcia, Megan Marie Bembridge, Emily Grace Benton, Amber Christina Berge, Nicholas Whitford Bernard, Salua Daniela Bobadilla, Yate Noah Robert Boddicker, Gwendalyn Elise Botson, Kathryn Elizabeth Bradley, Emma

Grace Braithwaite, Hunter Davis Braithwaite, Giuliana Belle Brock, John Patrick Brown, Stella Elizabeth Bryson, Alora Jaimes Buel, Katie Ann

Caskey, Ty Adam Castaneda, Ci Caitlyn Amber Celaj, Jonathan Chavez Perdomo, Kevin Hunter Clark Jr., Seth Robert Coalson, Skylar Michael Coffelt, Kai Nicholson Collins, Alexia Elizabeth Combs, Christine Elizabeth Cooper, Daven Harrison Corey, Bronson Luke Costa, Edward Andrew Cottrell, Alexis Marin Coughlin, John Owen Couture, Margaret Ann Crowe, Ashlyn Marley Daniels, Cadence Sage Darden, Hunter William Davidson, Leah Elisabeth Davis, Kirra Oceana Dawson, Morgan Elaine Deane, Lyric Ashley Denton, Tatum Danielle Dermatas, James Vincent Destefano, Terressa Laney Dexter, Nicholas Clark Dinkle, Isaac Kean Dobie, Andrew Tyler Douglas, Jacob Leigh Dutcher, Mackenzie Leigh Edwards, Charlotte Ann Ernst, Alexander Ramone Escobar Ramirez, Zachary Adam Etheridge, Kaylee Morgan Evans, Yae-Chan Thomas Facenda, Kurt Edward Felthousen, Keller Zeke Foard, Marija Ona Frasca, William Manuel Garcia, Wyatt Harrison George, Emma Marie Gibbons, John Christopher Gibson Jr., Carmen Elizabeth Faith Gillespie, Alyssa Anne Goulet, Jacob Anthony Gray, Levi Everette Gray, Hailey Shea Griffin, Cassidy Elaine Griffith, Kaylie Carson Grooms, Hope Ann Halloran, Caroline Rose Hamlett, Delaney Jo Hanf, Jackson Avery Hannon, Andrew David Harrell Jr., Peyton Pilar Harris, Smith Avery Harrison, Arden Marie Harrison, Eli Nelson Hawk, Jordan Doe Haywood, Maggie Hernandez Jimenez, Litzy Mabel Hernandez-Oliva, Justin Bradford Hill, Lily Alexis Lea Holland, Finn Isaac Holman, Alexa Marcela Horak, Cabrera Landon Mitchell Howard, Bodie Rollins Hughes, Wyland Sean Humphries, Brooke Noelle Hymiller, Ellen Vivian Precious Isbister, Richard James Jackson, Brigit Mae James, Dylan James Johnson, Zoe Hollen Kane, Katherine Elaine Kilburn, Ryne Blaze Kissel, Jack Allen Kool, Tristan Lane Koplen, Emmalee Elizabeth Kovacs, Joseph Peter Kovacs, Daniel Aleksi Krenk, Jacob Henry Kresicki, Tanner Owen Lambroff,

Kayla Mae Lamm, Kaiden Elijah Lane, Henry Payne Larson, Austin Lee Law, Emma Frances Leahy, Gavin Maurice Leano, Christyna Desiree Linares Oliveros, Alexander Jason Livingston, Alanah Morgan Long, Audrey Ina Lovell, Rhiannon Cali Manning, Adrian Miguel Mariluz, Sophia Colleen Martin, Thomas Harry May, Fenton Steve McKown, Nina Grace McMaster da Mota, Whisper Aisling Meacham, Abigail Medina-Sifuentes, Matthew Ruslan Mercer, Jackson Bradley Meyers, Skyler Lewis Mezzacca, Nicholas Wilson Miller, Steve Monica-Sanchez, Evan John Montgomery, Daisy Lynette Morales, Bravo Noah Rader Morris, Joshua Michael Morway, Damien Blaze Nagle, Taylor Jon Newton, Alexandra Nicole Nigro, Ava Ann Norko, Raven Gray Oakey, Mayson Louise Ogburn, Anderson Alexander Osorto Guardado, Bryce Angel Owens, Gracie LeeAnn Parks, Oliver Galen Parks, Tyler Robert Parrish, Aaliyah Michele Paynter, Kamani Jamar Pegues, Michael Hargrove Peters, Madelyn Noel Peters, Browning Everett Pierce, Yesli Yismari Pineda Aguilar, Ezequiel Pinon Jose Luis Porrata IV, Brigid Kathryn Preisser, Natalie Anne Pugh, Celeste Hope Puma, Christian Alberto Quezada Munoz, Kenneth Neptali Quioto-Limones, Johnathan McKenzie Rawls, Caleb Aubrey Rawls, Natalie Marie Reardon, Cade James Reed, Tyler Kenneth Reed, Lila Marin Remige, Dylan Kevin Rich, Reagan Lynne Riddick, Max Pingxin Roberts, William

Robinson, Connor Chan-Kyoo Rock, Frank Morton Roepcke IV, Olivia Allison Roper, Noelani Mari Santana, “lssabella Morgan Sarbora, Aedan Thayer Savage, Marcos Edward Sawyer, Logan Patrick Schatz, Trevor Aidan Schweitzer, Hunter Robert Shelton, Wi Ri Shwe, Lydia Zulee Sillies, Lexi Samantha Simmons, Scout Zachary Simmons, Rylee Elizabeth Smeltzer, Samuel Jacob Smith, Brayden Christopher Smith, Heather Alyssa Snyder, Samuel David Steward, Mary Kathryn Leigh Stroud, Kaitlyn Brooke Stubblefield, Olivia Wade Sugg, Kemp Charles Sumner, Elijah Davis Swain, Trenton Bradley Sylvia, Arianna Valentina Tabasquez Riera, Dylan Elliott Talley, Logan James Thiessen, Lucius Earle Thompson VII, Zane Miles Tomlin, Maura Jewell Trivette, Kendall Ellis Turnage, Carlos Alexander Ulloa Dominguez, Cameron John Van Lunen, John Paul Van Vliet, Alexandra Vazquez Panchenko, Tristan Gerardo Vazquez-Castro, Noah Patrick Walton, Sophia Amelie Arundhati Waters, Madison Katherine Webster, River James Wells, Aleah Mae Wernock, Chloe Hannah Wienert, Brody Robert Wild, Mason Court Williams, Robert Cameron Williams, Ramir Saiym Williams, Lauryn Branae Willis, Linley Erin Woodard, Sophia Claire Yacobi, Shae Brennan Yaeckel, Ashly Mina Yarrington, Henry Owen Yerk, Vincent Edward Yetzer, Sydney Faye York, Rylee Elizabeth Young, Merritt Christopher Robin Young-Stone

Henry

PHOTOS COURTESY DARE COUNTY SCHOOLS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2023

Manteo High School 2023 graduates

Jorden Tyler Ahlen, Luke Ellis Allen, Donavon Tillman Anderson, Alonah Alyssa Austin, Erika Raelisha Bailey, Haylee Victoria Bateman, Gwyneth Audrey Benkusky, Kieriana Nacairi Berry, Siana Michelle Bivins, Dylan Morgan Dale Blalock, Taryn Jade Booth, Patrick Jose Bravo, Nicklaus Ruebens Brewster, Elizabeth Mann Brown, Garrett Wright Brown, Haven Grace Burgess, Leslie Jene Cahoon, Larissa Sharai Calderon Chavarria, Conner Garret Cameron, Bruce Chancellor Campbell, John Dickson Campbell, Joseph Cameron Campbell, Fekadu Braun Close, Kenyen Joshua Conti, Jenna Makaira Croswait, Ian Stewart Culpepper, Ainsley Elizabeth Daniels, Evan Merle Davis, Logan Everette Day, Cristian Yahir DeLeon Ventura, Isabella Kathleen DeLigio, Jonathan Diaz-Escobar, John Calvin Dixon, William Blake Dobson, Cara Faith Dooley, Kathryn Renee Durand, Savannah Marie Durand, Eleanor Christine Edwards, Mya Marie Erpelding, Christopher Ernesto Estrada Zuniga, Brian Daniel Estrada-Tovar, Zachary Redden Etheridge, Olivia Rose Farley, Joshua Hunter Firth, Abby Arlie Flowers, Brianna Alexanderia-Marie Fordham, Amelia Natalie Foti, David Andrew Fowler, Evan Nicholas Frank, Ella Elizabeth Gardiner, Angela Victoria Gastanadui Zafra, Cielo Victoria Gastanadui Zafra, Ivy Paige Godwin, Kevin Alexis Gonzalez-Herrera, Diana Michelle Grande Herrera, Ayden Thomas Griffin, Izaiah Craig Gulledge, Diamond Trinity Hope,

Hanson Ava Sophia Harper, Zane Arrington Harper, William Burcham Harrison, Morgan Farrell Hayman, Trent Russell Hayman, Elizabeth Nichole Heath, Jocelyn Grace Henry, Salvador Isaac Hernandez, Mares Jeni Leigh Hooper, Adrianna Mae Hoy, Morgan Fay Hurst, Matthew Finn Huth, Cory Axel Ibarra, Spencer Hopkins James, Emily Anne Jessup, Hadey Jimenez-Ramos, Easton Lee Jones, Taylor Nicole Justice, Hailey Marie Kelly-Camargo, Amyas Qunton Kenyon, Lindsy Karina Klotz, Jeremiah James LaCentra, Meara Clare Land, Matthew Joseph Lapadat-Haslar, Jillian Taylor Leary, Briana

Catherine Lee, Jaden Lee Lowther, Vincent Albert Maione, Joshua Hamilton Mallory, Kyla Aaliyah Mallory, Miguel Angoul Mares Cruz, Brayan Jovani Martinez-Herrera, Brandon Douglas McClung, Scarlett Ellen

Meekins, Madison Ann Meredith, Luke Jeremiah Midgett, Jordan Avery Miller, Maggie Maylynn Miller, Abril Miranda-Ramirez, Claudia Michelle Moise, Stancu Carmen Faith Mokey, Elyse Arkeitha Monroe, Olivia Lee Montague, Carolina Rachell Morales, Darwin David Morales Perez, Jennifer Elizabeth Moxley, Rachel Lynn Oesting, Ayden Lain O’Neal, Caleb Shane O’Neal, Paris Ann O’Neal, Ebony Faith Orgsbon, Lindsey Paige

Ortega, Carlee Michelle Paramore, John Riley Perciful, Alan Ricardo Perez Martinez, Fernanda Perez-Chavarria, Ximena Perez-Chavarria, Treasure Azariah Peterson, Nya Nichole Pledger, Dylan James Polatty, Paula Alexandra Ramirez Garcia, Owen Bradshaw Reibel, Daniel Resendiz-Gonzalez, Maya Kimberly Rider, Amy Rios-Tovar, Oscar Yobani Rivera Jr., Joseph Alan Roberts, Valerie Rubio Rodriguez, Liam Harrington Ryan,

Robert Sawyer, Erica Nicole Sawyer, Parker Lee Sawyer, Ava Rose Scarborough, Austin Alan Seely, Bryson Gable Sherrod, Daniel James Shuett, Sara Elizabeth Simmons, Edyth Raelynn Simpson, Ella Dare Spencer, Gavin Lee Spencer, Eden Jai Spencer Cahoon, Kyle Stephen Strawser, Shane Floyd Strawser, Delany Grace Swain, Katelyn Audre Swiger, Gabriel Barrett Tillett, Isaiah Michael-Levon Tillett, William Kenneth Tillman, Gage Martin Tolson, Angel de Jesus Tovar Calderon, Peyton Lane Turner, Aaron Miguel Twiddy-Mendoza, Ayden Marcial Twiddy-Mendoza, Zarah Jornai Twitty-Carver, Jonson Bailey Utz, Jeremy Josue Vargas-Arias, Emilia Vasquez Mendez, Alejandro Velazquez Tovar, Colson Drake Walker, Jazmin Deziree Watson, William Jason Waughtel Jr., Breanna Clare Wehner, Keaton James Stuart Wescott, Kamryn Alyssa Whiteside, Emily Faith Williams

Colby

PHOTOS COURTESY DARE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Class of 2023

Columbia Early College High School celebrates Class of 2023

Members of the Class of 2023 at Columbia Early College High School celebrated their high school graduation in Columbia. The dual enrollment program, which allows students to start taking college courses while in high school, saw 40 students presented with high school diplomas, six of whom also received associate degrees through Beaufort County Community College.

Students who also earned degrees through BCCC participated in a larger ceremony with graduates from the college and other early college high school students on May 11. They are headed off to universities, the military and the workforce.

Just as important as the associate degrees earned are all the college credits that the graduating class earned. Students who did

not complete a degree still have the option to finish at BCCC or transfer credits to a university, saving them time and money.

Graduates were recognized for different achievements at the ceremony. Layla Beals, Tucker Fleming, Leticia Gonzalez-Ochoa, Mia Martinez-Garcia, Coral McQuigg, and Alaina Sawyer all received degrees through Beaufort. Leticia Gonzalez-Ochoa earned the Beatrice Calderon Citizenship Award. Layla Beals, Tucker Fleming and Mia Martinez-Gracia earned the President’s Award for Educational Achievement. Tucker Fleming earned the President’s Award for Educational Excellence.

Layla Beals, Delilah Childress, Jazmine Etheridge, Tucker Fleming,

McKinley Gardner, Leticia Gonzalez-Ochoa, Mia Martinez-Garcia and Deidra Webb all graduated with honors. Leticia Gonzalez-Ochoa was the salutatorian and Layla Beals was the valedictorian.

Dr. Karrie Dixon, chancellor of Elizabeth City State University, addressed the graduates.

Every high school in Beaufort County Community College’s four-county service area has students who participate in dual-enrollment programs. At Columbia ECHS, students can choose to stay a fifth year to complete college courses, though all students in the Class of 2023 graduate together.

This means that students who prefer a traditional high school education can graduate in four years and choose not to take any college classes, though most of the Class of 2023 graduated with some college credit.

BCCC also partners with Washington County Early College High School, Hyde Academy and Beaufort County Early College High School, and qualified students from all area high schools can take free college classes through Career and College Promise.

“BCCC wishes all the best to its early college students,” stated BCCC.

PHOTOS COURTESY BCCC

Valedictorian Layla Beals addresses the Columbia Early College High School Class of 2023.

Salutatorian Leticia Gonzalez-Ochoa addresses the Columbia Early College High School Class of 2023.

Celebrating Currituck grads

Scholarships presented to grads who plan future in education

The Dare County Unit of North Carolina Retired School Personnel was pleased to present scholarships to members of the Dare County Class of ‘23. Mary Blythe, scholarship chairperson, conveyed scholarships to these seniors who plan to major in education.

Recipients were: Charlotte Ernst, Mary Kathryn Stroud, Stella Bryson and Thomas May from First Flight High School and Kieriana Berry and Briana Lee from Manteo High School.

Funds have been collected all during the NCRSP’s past year and yielded $500 to assist each student during their college progress.

Currituck County Schools celebrated the 2023 graduating classes from Currituck County High School and J.P. Knapp Early College High School. Currituck County High School had 229 graduates, and J.P. Knapp Early College High School had 65.

Photos courtesy Currituck County Schools

COURTESY DARE COUNTY UNIT OF NORTH CAROLINA RETIRED SCHOOL PERSONNEL

Students are shown, from left, receiving their package from Mary Blythe: Kieriana Berry, Manteo High School; Briana Lee, Manteo High School; Stella Bryson, First Flight High School; and Thomas May, First Flight High School.

Class of 2023

Outer Banks Community Foundation awards

The Outer Banks Community Foundation has announced it has awarded $198,800 in 81 scholarships to 70 students this spring, the most awards ever in the Community Foundation’s expanding scholarship program’s history.

Forty-four percent of this year’s 41 senior scholarship recipients are the first in their families to attend college. Also, six scholarship awards were made in 2023 through new scholarship funds. Scholarships were awarded to three COA students and 38 graduating seniors from Cape Hatteras Secondary School, Currituck County High School, First Flight High School, J.P. Knapp Early College High School and Manteo High School. Of these students, 24 received awards that are renewable for up to four years of college. The Community Foundation also has renewed financial support to 29 current college students who earned multi-year, renewable scholarships.

“We’re all proud of the fact that this year’s recipient group is the largest and most diverse in our Foundation’s history,” said Community Foundation Board Chair Jean-Louise Dixon. “This attests to the program’s continued focus of encouraging every local student who wants to further his or her education to

apply for the many scholarship opportunities we offer.”

Seven enhanced scholarship funds, the Community Foundation’s most prestigious and significant awards, accounted for $86,000 in new and renewing scholarship awards this year. Four of these enhanced scholarships were awarded to newly-selected graduating seniors:

The Milton A. Jewell Academic Scholarship, a four-year, $24,000 renewable scholarship, was awarded to Cole Walker, a Manteo High School graduating senior. Walker will attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University this fall, where he plans to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering.

The Jerry and Arlene Davis Scholarship, a fouryear, $24,000 renewable scholarship, was awarded to Ebony Orgsbon, a Manteo High School graduating senior. Orgsbon, the first in her family to go to college, will attend NC Agricultural and Technical State University in the fall, where she plans to study veterinary medicine.

The Elizabeth and Wayne Evans Scholarship, a four-year, $20,000 renewable scholarship, was awarded to Daisy Morales-Bravo, a First Flight High School graduating senior. Morales-Bravo plans to study nursing at

East Carolina University. She is also a first-generation college student.

Cape Hatteras Secondary School senior Alan Garcia Velazquez was awarded the R. Stewart Couch Hatteras Island

Scholarship, a one-time $8,000 award. He plans to study finance or business at East Carolina University. For a full list of scholarship recipients, go to obcf.org/scholarships/

Scholarship recipients named at 34th Artrageous Kids Art Festival

Hundreds of families gathered at Dowdy Park in Nags Head on a May Saturday for a fun-filled day of visual and performing arts at the 34th Annual Artrageous Kids Art Festival presented by PNC Bank.

In between the live music and dance performances, Dare Arts executive director Jessica Sands took the stage and announced the 2023 Artrageous scholarship recipients.

“Each year we look forward to awarding a senior from each Dare County high school a scholarship from the Artrageous Youth Scholarship Fund,” said Sands. “We are thrilled to support these talented young artists.”

The 2023 Artrageous scholarship recipients are Grace Shoemaker from Cape Hatteras Secondary School, Jay Moxley from Manteo High School and Sydney York from First Flight High School.

“I’m honored that I was chosen for this scholarship,” said Sydney York. “I worked hard on my essay, and it made me very happy when I found out that I was chosen. This scholarship will be helping me attend Appalachian State University to study in their Honor’s College. I’ll be majoring in computer science and minoring in cinematography/film studies. I’m really excited for college, and thanks to the Artrageous scholarship, the tuition burden that is on me to pay is a little bit lighter.” Moxley will be attending University of Rhode Island and plans to major in theater with a focus in directing.

Shoemaker will be attending Pitt Community College and is pursuing an associate degree in fine arts.

Dare Arts expressed thanks to The Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series and artist Paul Shampine for sponsoring Artrageous.

The board of OBX GO FAR, Inc. non-profit after school running program for children across the Outer Banks awarded three $1,000 dollar checks from the College and Continuing Education Fund – The Miles Education Fund. The College and Continuing Education Fund was named in honor of Shane Miles, beloved Go Far coach and runner. OBX GO FAR continues to recognize excellence by awarding gifts to Tatum Dermatas, Tyler Sylvia and Emma Gibbons, all First Flight High School students. All three recipients

recent-recipients. Scholarship funds have been donated by individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, civic groups and government agencies to help local students pursue higher

education. Any community member can establish a scholarship fund with the Community Foundation by calling 252-423-3003 or can donate to an existing fund online at obcf. org/donate.

Theatre of Dare awards Don Bridge Memorial Scholarships to two grads

This spring, Theatre of Dare awarded its biggest scholarships ever, as Jay Moxley of Manteo High School and Johnny Metacarpa of Hatteras Secondary School each received a $2,500 Don Bridge Memorial Scholarship to continue their educations in the performing arts.

Moxley will be attending the University of Rhode Island to study BFA directing, while Metacarpa will be going

to Cape Fear Community College to earn a degree in technical theater. “Congratulations, Jay and Johnny, and good luck with your educational pursuits!” stated Theatre of Dare.

The money for the Don Bridge Memorial Scholarships comes from donations at Theatre of Dare’s 50/50 raffles during our season’s productions. 2024 scholarship packets will be available after the first of the year.

For more information, go to DareArts.org/artrageous or call 252-473-5558.

Dare Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to encouraging the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment and opportunity.

This project is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.

received $1,000 dollars each and have been exemplary Go Far participants over the years, noted the scholarship announcement. In addition, recipients are active volunteers in healthy living and their community.

“OBX GO FAR celebrates their accomplishments and the shining example that they bring to this award,” stated the announcement.

Sarah and Rodney Benson, along with their family, helped to begin this fund, which awards scholarships each year. The college education and continuing education fund

recognizes participants of OBX GO FAR who have remained engaged in running, volunteerism, teaching others the life long sport of running and engaging the family in healthy life styles to combat childhood obesity.

OBX GO FAR, Inc. has awarded $15,000 in college and continuing education funds since 2018. The fund has grown over the years thanks to the generosity of the founders and other donations.

To get more information about OBX GO FAR, to become part of this ever-growing program or to donate, go to obxgofar.org.

COURTESY THEATRE OF DARE

Johnny Metacarpa of Hatteras Secondary School, left, and Jay Moxley of Manteo High School received Don Bridge Memorial Scholarships from Theatre of Dare.

COURTESY OBX GO FAR

From left, Tatum Dermatas, Tyler Sylvia and Emma Gibbons received OBX GO FAR scholarships from the Miles Education Fund.

COURTESY OUTER BANKS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

2023 Outer Banks Community Foundation scholarship recipients are, from left, first row: Alonah Austin, Andrew “Shank” Austin, Blake Austin, Tyler Babcock, Emily Benton, Gwendalyn Botson, John Cook, Tatum Dermatas; second row: Mackenzie Edwards, Charlotte “Charlie” Ernst, Alan Garcia Velazquez, Ella Gardiner, Ivy Godwin, Kevin Gonzalez-Herrera, Jordan Haywood, Jeni Hooper; third row: Briana Lee, Anita Lin, Kyla Mallory, Tommy May, Maggie Miller, Daisy Morales Bravo, Rachel Oesting, Ebony Orgsbon; fourth row: Carlee Paramore, Fernanda Perez-Chavarria, Maleia Quidley, Lilian Ratliff, Joshua Royals, Grace Shoemaker, Olivia Sugg, Delany Swain; fifth row: Trent Sylvia, Dylan Talley, Gavin Thompson, Peyton Turner, Colson Walker, Chloe Wienert, Kiana Willis, Rylee Young; and sixth row: Alexis Zavala-Roldan.

COURTESY TATUM CLEMENTS

Shown, from left, are Dare Arts executive director and 2023 Artrageous scholarship recipients Jay Moxley from Manteo High School, Sydney York from First Flight High School and Grace Shoemaker from Cape Hatteras Secondary School.