Hiwassee Dam – In a rare moment for her, Abby Lee was speechless on the morning of Feb. 10. That’s when Lee, a seventh-grade student at Hiwassee Dam Elementary/Middle School, was named one of 15 Victor E. Bell Jr. Scholarship recipients across the state, and the only one in the region.
The scholarship awards students $2,000 each year up to a maximum $20,000. It is offered by the College Foundation of North Carolina to seventh-grade students to encourage and assist them in pursuing a higher education. There were 120 students across the state nominated for the scholarship.
Lee’s accomplishment was celebrated Feb. 10 with the foundation via videoconferencing. Devon McCarthy-James, regional representative for the foundation, hoped they could celebrate in person soon, as she congratulated Lee on her accomplishments.
“May it take you to the future that you dream of,” McCarthy-James said.
Lee hopes to go to Appalachian State University, Duke University or Western Carolina University, and is thinking about a career in engineering, law enforcement or volleyball. She is on the Hiwassee Dam-Ranger volleyball team, and wants to continue playing the sport through high school and college. Lee is also in the AIG program, and has participated in the robotics program and Battle of the Books.
McCarthy-James said the scholarship does earn interest, and she can use it at any point in her post-secondary education. Lee was nominated for the scholarship by Career & Technical Education teacher Whitney Tanner, who claimed it was really a group nomination from her teachers.
“All of Abby’s teachers believe she is wonderful student with tremendous potential,” Tanner said. “Abby strives for excellence in everything she does. She works well with her peers and she is always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Abby is a problem solver, remarkable creative, kind, thoughtful and an extremely hard worker.”
Lee’s parents, Tim and Jackie, were by her side as she was honored. Her father is a pastor, while her mother is a teacher. Lee also has two older brothers, Phil and Andy. Her family was “super excited” for her.
“Our family is extremely grateful for this opportunity,” her father said. “We are very proud of Abby.”
Last year, Isabelle Gladson of Ranger/Elementary Middle was the first student from Cherokee County to earn the scholarship. The first class of Victor Bell Scholarship recipients are graduating this year.