Golden LEAF Alumni Spotlight: Brooklyn Brown
By Golden LEAF External Affairs Interns Brittney Collins and Markell Gibbs Golden LEAF Scholarship alumnae Brooklyn Brown was born and raised in rural Swain County, on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. She currently lives in Swain County and works at the Cherokee One Feather as a reporter. Brown graduated from Swain County High School as valedictorian, […]
Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Spotlight Article: Zach Jones
By Karizma Greene, Golden LEAF External Affairs Intern Zach Jones, a Golden LEAF Scholarship alumnus, finds home in rural Robeson County, North Carolina. Jones attended Robeson Community College (RCC) for two years then transferred to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) in 2008, where he studied education. UNCP’s motto, “Education changes lives,” resonated […]
Congratulations to the Golden LEAF Scholars graduating class of 2023
By Brittney Collins, Golden LEAF Scholarship Program Intern Since 2000, Golden LEAF has awarded approximately 6,000 scholarships to students from rural communities who are graduating with the skills, passion, and leadership experiences to help their home communities thrive. This year, 120 Golden LEAF Scholars are graduating from a North Carolina college or university. “I am […]
Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Spotlight: Jessica Blackwell
By Savanna Ramirez, Golden LEAF External Affairs Intern Golden LEAF Scholarship alumna Jessica Blackwell grew up in a rural community in Columbus County as a farmer’s daughter. She rode tractors and learned how to deal with different farm equipment over the years. Her grandfather was a tobacco farmer and eventually passed that business down to […]
Golden LEAF Alumni Spotlight: Samantha Bowen
Name: Samantha Bowen Home County: Stokes County High School Attended: South Stokes High School College Attended/ Years Attended: UNC-Chapel Hill (2014-2018) College Major: History College Minor: Chemistry, Spanish Current county of residence: Stokes County Employer: Stokes County Schools Title: High School Science Teacher Years working with current employer: 3 What does rural mean to you? […]
Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Spotlight: Nicole Flores Bautista
Name: Nicole Flores Bautista High School Attended: Robeson Early College High School Home County: Robeson College Attended/Years Attended: UNC-Greensboro/2018-2020 Major: Human Development and Family Studies Minor: Sociology County Now Living In: Robeson Employer: Southeastern Family Violence Center Title: Victim Advocate Years Working for Current Employer: 2 years Connect with Nicole Flores Bautista on LinkedIn by […]
Golden LEAF Alumni Spotlight: Allayna N. Dail
Name: Allayna N. Dail High School Attended: Pamlico County High Home County: Pamlico Colleges Attended/ Years Attended: UNC Wilmington (2013-2017) Majors: History County Now Living In: Brunswick Employer: City of Southport Title: Assistant Director of Community Relations Years Working for Current Employer: 1 year Follow Allayna Dail on LinkedIn. What does rural mean to you? […]
Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Spotlight: Chasity Skusa
Name: Chasity Skusa High School Attended: St. Pauls High School Home County: Robeson Colleges Attended/ Years Attended: UNC-Pembroke (2013- 2017), N.C. State (2017- 2019) Majors: Bachelor’s in Mass Communication (UNC-Pembroke), Master’s in Communication (N.C. State) Minor: Theatre County Now Living In: Robeson Employer: Robeson County Church & Community Center Title: Resource Development Coordinator Years Working […]
Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Spotlight: Krystal Lamb Kidd
Name: Krystal (Lamb) Kidd High School Attended: Uwharrie Charter Academy Home County: Randolph College Attended: University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2017-2021) Major: Psychology Minor: Human Development and Family Studies County Now Living In: Davidson Employer: Family Services, Inc. Title: Family Advocate Years Working for Current Employer: 8 months What does rural mean to you? […]
Golden LEAF Scholarship Alumni Spotlight: Erykah Cooke
Name: Erykah Cooke High School Attended: Kinston High School Home County: Lenoir College Attended: East Carolina University (2017-2021) Major: Family and Community Services County Now Living In: Lenoir Employer: Intuit TurboTax Live Title: Tax Prep Assistant Years Working for Current Employer: 4 months What does rural mean to you? Rural is real. My rural community […]