ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — he Golden LEAF Foundation has announced the names of 215 rural North Carolina students selected to receive the Golden LEAF Scholarship, 10 of whom are outstanding Wayne County students. Each scholarship is worth as much as $14,000 for undergraduate work.
The Golden LEAF Scholarship Program provides high school seniors attending four-year North Carolina colleges and universities, or transfer students at community colleges, with scholarship money. High school recipients are eligible for $3,500 each year for up to four years, and transfer students can receive assistance for up to three years.
Its scholars this year were chosen from among a highly competitive pool of nearly 1,600 candidates. Selection is made on the basis of academic performance, leadership, and demonstrated intent to return home after graduation to serve their local communities.
We are pleased to award scholarship money to students who have strong ties to their rural communities,” stated Golden LEAF Foundation President and CEO Scott T. Hamilton. “These students were chosen for their commitment to becoming North Carolina’s next rural leaders.”
Wayne County’s 2025 scholarship awardees are:
Diego Castaneda Avila, Spring Creek High School — studying at NC State University
Justin Cowan, Wayne Christian School — University of Mount Olive
Payton Grimes, Charles B. Aycock High School — East Carolina University
Jayda Harrell, Southern Wayne High School — UNC-Chapel Hill
Jerrica Hinson, community college transfer — East Carolina University
Avery Jennette, Southern Wayne High School — Wayne Community College
Nevaeh Kenney, Eastern Wayne High School — UNC-Charlotte
Payton Lowery, Wayne Early/Middle College High School — UNC-Wilmington
Melody Riso, Charles B. Aycock High School — attending East Carolina University
Brianna Smith, Wayne Country Day School — attending Meredith College
State leaders congratulated the students on their achievement.
“Your award of a Golden LEAF Scholarship is a reflection on your commitment, service to your community, and promise for the future,” said Representative John Bell.
“These students should be proud of their fine achievement,” added Senator Buck Newton. “I want them to enjoy the best of bright futures ahead.”
Representative Jimmy Dixon seconded the praise: “Your commitment to pursue an education and return to your home county is a definite indicator of future success for not only our rural towns but for our state.”
In addition to financial assistance, Golden LEAF Scholars also qualify for the Rural Internship Initiative, a paid summer internship program that affords professional experience in rural North Carolina communities. Interns are paid $18 an hour for up to 400 hours of work.
About Golden LEAF Foundation
Since 1999, the Golden LEAF Foundation has been a nonprofit corporation created to disperse some of North Carolina’s 1998 Master Settlement Agreement monies with the tobacco industry. The foundation serves to expand economic opportunity in tobacco communities and rural communities in the state. Golden LEAF has provided 68,000 new jobs and more than $780 million in new payrolls in North Carolina to date. Learn more at GoldenLEAF.org.
About NCSEAA
The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), the program administrator, promotes access to higher education through financial aid and savings programs. Established in 1965, NCSEAA helps students and families in North Carolina plan and pay for college.
