George H. V. Cecil Journey Scholarship
George H.V. Cecil Journey Scholarship
The George H.V. Cecil Journey Scholarship supports high school seniors in Western North Carolina who demonstrate leadership, academic potential and a commitment to their home community. Each year, a group of students is selected to receive the scholarship and become Journey Scholars, joining a cohort of young leaders making a difference across the region.
What Journey Scholars Receive
- A renewable four-year scholarship to support their educational goals
- Connection to a growing network of scholars, community leaders and changemakers across Western North Carolina
- Opportunities to continue serving, leading and strengthening communities throughout college and beyond
Our Story
Established in 2002, the George H.V. Cecil Journey Scholarship honors the belief that education can strengthen both individuals and communities. The program supports students who are already making a difference through leadership, service and community involvement and encourages them to continue that work as they pursue their education and future goals.
Community Centers
Community centers are at the heart of this work. Across Western North Carolina, these centers serve as gathering places where neighbors connect, support one another and work together to strengthen their communities. Students connect with their local community center as a way to give back and WNC Communities invests in them as they strengthen the places they call home.
Is this for You?
Journey Scholars are students who are already making a difference in their communities. We look for students who:
- Take initiative and lead by example
- Invest their time in helping others
- Stay engaged in their schools, community centers, churches or local organizations
- Demonstrate academic potential and a commitment to continued learning
- Care deeply about the future of their communities
Basic Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a high school senior planning to enter college in the fall
- Enroll in an accredited two- or four-year college program
- Have a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA
- Live in one of the active WNC Honors communities or are connected to a participating community center
Not sure if you’re connected? We can help. Email us your high school and community name at scholarship@wnccommunities.org and we’ll help confirm your connection and point you toward opportunities to get involved.
Want to Be a Future Journey Scholar?
Start now.
The students featured below didn’t wait until senior year to get involved. They spent years volunteering, leading projects, helping others and building connections in their communities.
You don’t need to have everything figured out. Just look for ways to help, serve and get involved where you live.
Every Journey Scholar has a different story but each has found a way to make a difference in their community.
The 2026 George H.V. Cecil Journey Scholars
Seven outstanding students from communities across Western North Carolina have been selected as recipients of the
George H.V. Cecil Journey Scholarship. Chosen for their academic potential, leadership, service and commitment to community.
Asher Blackwood
Rosscraggon Wood Community | Buncombe County
Asher has spent years helping maintain and improve Rosscraggon Wood Nature Preserve, organizing youth volunteers and leading projects that make the property more accessible and welcoming for community members of all ages. His efforts have included improving trails and gathering spaces, removing invasive plants and helping plan long-term improvements to the preserve.
“The positive impact I have seen Rosscraggon Wood have on my family and neighbors inspired me to ensure the preserve continues to improve and thrive.”
Cam Ramsey
Holly Springs Community | Macon County
Cam is passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen, included and supported. Through her work with children, EC classrooms, community organizations and local service projects, she has invested her time and energy in helping others build confidence, develop connections and feel a sense of belonging.
“Authenticity invites so much connection with others, creative expression encourages empathetic thinkers, and individuality gives others the confidence to be themselves.”
Carter Crubaugh
Grape Creek Community | Cherokee County
Carter has demonstrated a strong commitment to community leadership through the Mayor’s Rising Stars program, where he helped lead projects that strengthen and preserve his hometown. Most notably, he coordinated the restoration of Murphy’s historic L&N Depot boxcar by securing support, organizing volunteers and working alongside community partners to bring new life to a local landmark.
“Growing up in a small town has shown me that if you are granted opportunity, it gives you a responsibility to give back to your community.”
Chloe Henson
Peak Creek Community | Ashe County
Since childhood, Chloe has dedicated her time to creating and selling “Chloe’s Little Christmas Trees,” a community fundraiser that supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. What began as a small project on her family’s Christmas tree farm has grown into a long-standing service effort that has raised more than $8,000 for children and families facing serious illness.
“I learned I am empathetic, proactive, strong, and compassionate.”
Kelly Bailey
Ellenboro Woman’s Club Community | Rutherford County
Kelly has dedicated herself to mentoring and developing young athletes through her work as a competitive gymnastics coach. Over the past three years, she has helped guide dozens of gymnasts as they build confidence, overcome challenges and achieve success at the state, regional and national levels, demonstrating the power of leadership through encouragement, discipline and service to others.
“Self-improvement is the key to helping others”
Larson Berry
Todd Community | Watauga County
Larson has dedicated countless hours to serving others through healthcare and community service. From volunteering in assisted living and hospital settings to helping organize an Alzheimer’s Association fundraiser and supporting educational activities for young children, she has consistently looked for ways to care for and encourage people of all ages.
“I want to use the experiences and education I gain in college to eventually give back to the community that has supported me throughout my life.”
Tristin Powell
Balsam Grove Community | Transylvania County
Tristin has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her advocacy for student involvement at Rosman High School. After club time was removed from the school schedule, she spent several years working with school administrators, community leaders and the Board of Education to advocate for its return, helping restore opportunities for student connection, leadership and engagement for future students.
“I want to use what I’ve learned to pour back into the people and places that have shaped me.”
Current Journey Scholar Cohorts
A look at the students who make up our Journey Scholar community.
From Left: Graham Caldwell of (Macon County), Eleura Clark (Madison County), Addyson Sutherland (Madison County), Lucy Soucek (Watauga County), Caroline Jenkins (Transylvania County), Abigail Huter (Transylvania County), Hunter Garland (Mitchell County), Aubriana Hytner (Ashe County)
From Left: Kinslie Campbell (Cherokee County), Oliver Blackwood (Buncombe County), Westyn Woodard (Rutherford County), Diego Infanzon (Henderson County)
Not Pictured: Ellary Smith (Watauga County), Jacen Carver (Macon County)
From left: Kensley Phillips (Graham County), Abigail Przynosch (Buncombe County), Joanna Cady (Madison County), Zorabella Adrignola (Transylvania County)
Not Pictured: Irvin Morales-Saldivar (Madison County), Lucy Murray (Transylvania County)
Journey Scholar Alumni
Our alumni carry forward that mission by using their education,
leadership and service to strengthen the communities they call home.
Jacen Carver
As a first-generation college student, Jacen Carver graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in Business Administration and Law. While in college, he co-founded Southern Samaritans, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free home repairs and improvements for individuals and families in need.
Together with his co-founders, Jacen launched the organization to use their construction skills to meet practical needs in their community. To help fund their work, they also opened a thrift store, creating a sustainable way to support repair projects while providing affordable goods for local families.
Since its founding, Southern Samaritans has completed projects including emergency water and sewage line repairs, home renovations for families facing housing insecurity and critical repairs that have helped individuals remain safely in their homes.
“ Seeing the relief and gratitude from those we help has reinforced why we started Southern Samaritans in the first place.“
Jacen Carver (second from right) with members of the Southern Samaritans team inside their community thrift store which helps fund free home repairs for families in need
Looking to make a connection at your WNC community center?
Applicants must be verified by an officer from a participating WNC community center that is part of the WNC Honors network.
If you’re not sure which community center you’re connected to, email us your high school and community name at scholarship@wnccommunities.org and we’ll help confirm your connection and point you toward opportunities to get involved.