By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

Dylan Barkley will soon enter Campbell University as a freshman with the intent to study pharmacy and he credits the N.C. State Firefighter’s Association.

The organization awarded the 17-year-old Pooletown firefighter with an $8,000 scholarship. Dylan is currently a student at Gray Stone Day School.

“It is a very competitive scholarship and only six high school seniors received this award in the Western Region,” said Pooletown Fire Chief Ryan Barkley, who is also Dylan’s older brother.

The scholarship focuses on service to the community, specifically firefighting.

Dylan said it’s difficult to apply for scholarships because so much of his time is spent with the fire department or training, but this scholarship is firefighter-specific.

He doesn’t have a lot of time to devote to traditional extracurricular activities. His time has been spent working toward receiving fire certifications. He’s completed all of the necessary classes, but his certification will be finalized when he turns 18. Right now he can assist at fires, but cannot go inside a structure during a fire nor can he drive the firetruck.

Dylan will be able to use the scholarship money across four semesters.

“I’ve always wanted to go into the medical field. I’ve always liked chemistry,” he said.

The scholarship requires that the applicant volunteer and have a career in the medical field.

Once he’s at Campbell University, Ryan said, he’ll be able to continue with the fire department there.