2025 Scholarship Recipient

Jaida Nicole Dorsey is a senior at Wilmington Early College High School (WECHS) with a 4.3 GPA.  Jaida  a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Future Business Leaders of America, and the Cape Fear Community College Student Engineer’s Club. 

In the fall, Jaida plans to major in Mechanical Engineering at one of the following universities: North Carolina State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, or Georgia Institute of Technology.  Jaida gives back to the community by serving as a Freedom School Teacher’s Assistant at Communities in Schools, and as a Prosecution/Defense Attorney in the Teen Court program. She was also accepted as one of WILMA’s Future Leaders, Class of 2024. 

Tywanna Miller, owner of Beauty World, describes Jaida as a remarkable young lady: “Jaida is someone who has achieved academic excellence, and shows humility in the process. She is very passionate about school and helping others, and very adaptable to situations. Jaida is a hard-working, intelligent, and passionate young woman deserving of continuing her education. I had the wonderful opportunity to offer Jaida her first job, and she has been working for three years.” 

Justin Tyler McQueen  is a senior at North Brunswick High School with a 4.4 GPA. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the North Brunswick High School Track and Field, and Team Captain of the North Brunswick High School Cross Country. Justin has been recognized as Student-Athlete of the Week, and received a Certificate of Recognition from the Historic Wilmington Foundation. 

In the fall, Justin plans to major in Civil Engineering at one of the following universities: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, University of North Carolina - Charlotte, or Campbell University. He also serves the local community by volunteering at the Faith Temple Church of God In Christ Food Bank, and the Union Missionary Baptist Church Food Bank . 

 Kristina Lazzari, School Counselor at North Brunswick High School, credits Justin with being a gifted student and an extremely mature individual: “Tyler has tremendous depth, sense of purpose and drive, and is broad-minded. He is happiest when he is learning something new, and is unswayed by the pressures of his generation. He is self-driven, and self-motivated, and will make a great contribution in whatever field he chooses.”  

Jade Ayanna-Nicole Payton is a senior at Southeast Area Technical High School (SEA-TECH). With a 4.0 GPA, Jade is a member of the National Technical Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa, the official honor society for two-year colleges since 1929. 

In the fall, Jade plans to major in Biology with a minor in Mathematics at one of the following universities:  Howard University, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, or High Point University. She also serves her local community by volunteering at Eden Village, a tiny home community designed to provide permanent homes for chronically homeless individuals, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Meals on Wheels, and Cape Fear Community College Ambassador Program.

Ashley Wall, math teacher at SEA-TECH, describes Jade as a remarkable student:  "Jade is a self-driven student with incredible passion and enthusiasm. Everything she does, she does with precision and poise. She is incredibly dependable, and works very hard to achieve perfection in everything that she does."

Mekhi Lavarr Evans is a senior at Wilmington Early College High School (WECHS). As a member of the National Honor Society with a 4.3 GPA, Mekhi is also a member of Future Business Leaders of America, the largest business Career and Technical student organization in the world!

In the fall, Mekhi plans to major in Biology with a minor in African American and African Diaspora Studies at one of the following universities: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Howard University, or North Carolina A&T State University.  He also serves the local community with his time and talents by volunteering at the Salvation Army, First Fruit Ministries, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, and Snipes Academy as a tutor.

WECHS Principal, Regina Wooten, applauds Mekhi’s drive and determination: “While a percentage of students attending early college know what they want to do and begin building their leadership skills and resumes, Mekhi had to find his purpose. Once he knew what he wanted to do, he began building and initiating the skills that he did not realize he possessed." 

  Maylani Nicole Carr is a senior at Emsley A. Laney High School.  In addition to her academic prowess, Maylani is a member of the Beta Club, an AP Scholar, and serves as president of the National Honor Society. She also volunteers at Nourish NC, and Dorothy B. Johnson Pre-K Center.

Maylani is an excellent softball player, and captain of her softball team.  In the fall, she will attend Vanderbilt University, and major in Medicine, Health and Society. 

Drew Peterson, Peterson Softball LLC, admires Maylani's character and strong work ethic. "Maylani consistently demonstrates leadership by example, a teachable spirit, humbleness, respectfulness toward people in leadership positions, and genuine kindness toward her peers."

 Carissa Jade Spicer is a senior at Liberty University Online Academy.  She is also enrolled in the Fashion Industry Essentials Program at Parson The New School for Design in New York. Carissa is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, and volunteers as a Pre-K Assistant Teacher at the Port City Community Church.

In the fall, she plans to major in Apparel Design and Merchandising at  Appalachian State University. 

Kayla Daughtride, Grow Zone Volunteer Coordinator (PCCC) applauds Carissa's dedication and perseverance. "Carissa is committed to learning and growing as a leader, and has demonstrated a maturity well beyond her age in responsibility, leadership, and compassion for others."