The Annie and Sallie Ann Wheeler Memorial Scholarship returns for a fourth year with an increased award. This year, the recipient will receive a $6,000 prize, up from $4,000 in 2024.

The scholarship endowment, established for North Edgecombe High school students at the North Carolina Community Foundation, is awarded annually to a graduating senior. The one-time, non-renewable scholarship is paid directly to the scholarship winner’s college or university. North Edgecombe seniors can apply for the scholarship between Feb. 3, 2025, and March 31, 2025.

The scholarship endowment was established in 2021 by North Edgecombe alumni and cousins Jamaal D. Pittman (Valedictorian, class of 1999) and Linwood E. Hinton (Honors, class of 2008). It was named in honor of their late great-aunts (and great-great aunts), two sisters who lived just a few miles away from North Edgecombe and raised three generations of children who went on to become proud NEHS graduates. Despite coming from humble beginnings and not receiving the formal education they deserved, the sisters devoted their lives to ensuring the children in their family had access to education and opportunities.

The Annie and Sallie Ann Wheeler Memorial Scholarship is open to current seniors at North Edgecombe High School who plan to enroll in a two or four-year college. The students must have a grade point average of at least 2.5 and provide evidence of strength of character and a commitment to helping others. Previous winners include QuaNasia Bryant (2022), Sha’Kiyia Highsmith (2023) and Kalyn Johnson (2024). All three recipients are currently thriving in their collegiate pursuits.

The scholarship endowment is professionally managed and invested by the North Carolina Community Foundation and designed to provide permanent scholarship support to North Edgecombe High School students. Students should visit their counselor for an application, and donors are welcome to make a tax-deductible contribution to the fund.

For more information about the scholarship, visit www.WheelerScholarship.com. 

About the North Carolina Community Foundation

The North Carolina Community Foundation brings together generous people and connects them to causes and organizations they care about, with a focus on inspiring lasting and meaningful philanthropy in the state’s rural communities.

With $460 million in assets, NCCF sustains nearly 1,300 endowments and partners with donors and a network of affiliates in 60 counties to strengthen our state. By stewarding and growing donors’ gifts,

NCCF makes a powerful impact through a robust grants and scholarships program, awarding over $300 million since 1988.