The Annie and Sallie Ann Wheeler Memorial Scholarship committee has named Kalyn Johnson the 2024 scholarship recipient.

Scholarship co-founder Linwood E. Hinton and Lily Wheeler Lowe, mother of scholarship co-founder Jamaal D. Pittman, announced the recipient during an awards program on May 16 at North Edgecombe High School and made special presentations to all the applicants.

Hinton and Pittman are NEHS graduates, class of 2008 and 1999, respectively. The scholarship is named in honor of their late great-aunts, Annie and Sallie Ann Wheeler. The two sisters raised three generations of proud NEHS Warriors and devoted their lives to ensuring the children in their family had access to education and opportunities.

 When reflecting on Johnson’s scholarship application, Pittman said, “Kalyn is an exceptional student and already demonstrates a deep desire to be of service to her community in a lasting and meaningful way.”

Hinton added, “Kalyn is a well-rounded student building a strong foundation for success in her future pursuits.”

Johnson’s $4,000 scholarship award is a one-time, non-renewable award that will be paid directly to East Carolina University, where Johnson will attend in the Fall.

Four additional scholarship applicants were also recognized by the Wheeler Scholarship Committee. Zykendrick Hyman, Na’Siyah Fountain, Angel Sharpe and Zyrian Pittman were presented with certificates recognizing their impressive applications.

Scholarship applicants are required to have a grade point average of at least 2.5 and provide evidence of strength of character and a commitment to helping others. They must also have plans to enroll in a two or four-year college.

The scholarship endowment, believed to be the first of its kind established specifically for North Edgecombe students, is awarded annually to a graduating senior. Donors are welcome to support the scholarship, which is a fund of the North Carolina Community Foundation. Tax-deductible donations can be made through the NCCF website.

Additional information is available at WheelerScholarship.com.