WNC Communities

WNC Communities empowers the people of Western North Carolina to cultivate the vitality and prosperity of our mountain communities through collaboration and agricultural opportunities.

George H.V. Cecil Journey Scholarship

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George H.V. Cecil Journey Scholarship

Students and Communities supporting each other

Established in 2002 as the Journey Scholarship, the program was renamed for George H.V. Cecil in 2020. A native of Western North Carolina and the founder and Scholarship Committee Chair, George Cecil believed in the power of education to transform lives and communities. This endowed scholarship honors his legacy by furthering educational opportunities, encouraging community service, and fostering leadership skills.

This is a four-year renewable scholarship offered to high school seniors from participating WNC Honors communities with priority given to those who have actively volunteered with their community centers. Scholarship candidates are expected to demonstrate good character, strong academic potential, dedication to community service, and leadership. 

For any questions about anything related to this scholarship, please email gailparker@wnccommunities.org. 

Read more about recent scholarship news: Scholarship Program Receives Significant Gift

2023 Scholarship General Info

Applications are open as of January 2023 and are available from high school guidance counselors and through any participating WNC Honors community club. This year, we are excited to announce that this scholarship is now a renewable scholarship! All recipients this year will be able to renew their initial award for up to four years.

Applications are due Monday, March 13th by 11:59 PM

Recipients will be notified by Monday, May 1st

 

Eligibility:

Minimum GPA of 3.0

Applicants must be verified by an officer from a WNC Honors community center or club listed on page 2 of the application. If applicants are not certain who their community center is, please reach out to our scholarship coordinator at gailparker@wnccommunities.org. Please keep in mind that it may take several days to connect with an officer, so be sure to plan ahead.

Formsite online application link: Online Application Link

If submitting an online application is a difficulty for any reason, please contact your guidance counselor, community officer, or the scholarship coordinator for a pdf/word doc version that can be submitted either by email or by hardcopy mail. *

Active WNC Honors Communities 2023

Ashe County:  Peak Creek, Todd 

Buncombe County:  Avery’s Creek, Beaverdam (Candler), Big Ivy, Cane Creek, Fairview, Leicester, Newfound, Ox Creek, Rosscraggon Wood, Sandy Mush, Shiloh, Spring Mountain

Cherokee County: Bellview, Cherokee County Indian Community Club, Grape Creek, Martins Creek, Peachtree, Texana, Unaka

Clay: Brasstown

Graham County:  Snowbird

Haywood County:  Beaverdam (Canton), Bethel, Fines Creek, North Hominy, Saunook

Henderson County:  Crab Creek, Edneyville, Mills River, Upper Hickory Nut Gorge, Upward

Jackson County:  Big Y, Caney Fork, Glenville, Pumpkintown, Wolftown

Macon County:  Carson, Holly Springs, Nantahala, Otto

Madison County:  Center, Greater Ivy, Laurel, Revere Rice Cove, Spring Creek, Walnut Creek, Upper Laurel

Mitchell County:  Tipton Hill

Rutherford County: Bills Creek, Ellenboro Woman’s Club, Gilkey School, Golden Valley, Union Mills

Swain County:  Big Cove, Towstring, Yellowhill

Transylvania County:  Balsam Grove, Cedar Mountain, Dunn’s Rock, Lake Toxaway, Little River

Watauga County: Deep Gap,

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians:  Big Cove, Big Y, Cherokee County Indian Community Club, Snowbird, Towstring, Yellowhill

*If mailing a hardcopy application, please notify the scholarship coordinator ahead of time and make sure it is in the mail well before the deadline. Mailed applications must be received by March 13th to be considered. Note that U.S. mail is currently experiencing slower processing times, so plan accordingly.