Gray Stone Day School’s James Parkhill has won the Levine Scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Dylan Maher has won an appointment to West Point.
The mission of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point is to educate, train and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of “Duty, Honor, Country” and prepared for a career as an officer in the U.S. Army. Tuition-free, West Point candidates are evaluated on scholarship, leadership and physical fitness.
Maher was a junior marshal, is a member of National Honor Society, served as vice president of student government, was editor of the literary magazine and lettered in tennis, cross country and swimming. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 401, where he achieved the rank of Eagle. For his project, he built a bridge at Dan Nicholas Park. He attended SPEC camp at Pfeiffer University and a summer leadership session at West Point. He has served as head of the altar servers at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for two years.
“I am happy to have the opportunity to attend college in the United States of America and consider myself the luckiest man alive to be chosen to attend the United States Military Academy,” Maher said.
Maher is the son of Patrick and Michelle Maher of Salisbury. He is Gray Stone’s third West Point appointment, and will report on July 2.
The Levine Scholarship is in its third year and was established by Charlotte community philanthropists Sandra and Leon Levine. Criteria for selection include intellectual curiosity, commitment to community service and ethical leadership. Recipients receive a full four-year scholarship and four summer enrichment experiences. The scholarship is valued at $100,000 for in-state students.
Parkhill was a junior marshal, an AP Scholar and a National Merit Finalist. He worked with students with special needs at Camp Joy in Flat Rock, and spearheaded participation in Project Unify in Concord and Harrisburg, connecting more than 50 Gray Stone students with special needs students and received a grant to support this project. He is pianist at Back Creek Presbyterian Church.
“I am both shocked and pleased to have received the Levine Scholarship to UNC-Charlotte. This is not a free ride because I will continue to pursue my education and my service to my community. Rather, Levine is an amazing opportunity,” he said.
Parkhill is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Parkhill of Concord. He plans to study civil engineering and special education in college. He is Gray Stone’s first Levine Scholarship winner.