The Dunbar School Alumni Association recently awarded Heritage Scholarships to seven descendants of former students, teachers or administrators of Dunbar School. Each recipient received $500.

Required information included proof of relationship to a former student, teacher or administrator; academic achievement and involvement; community service; and financial need.

The following students received scholarships:

• Olivia Gabriel, South Carolina State University

Gabriel is pursuing a degree in history and plans to return to Rowan County to teach.

In her statement about future contributions to her community, Gabriel said, “My goal is to teach children that failure does not mean to give up but to try harder because it determines what path you will take in life.”

Gabriel is the daughter of Todd and Tracey Gabriel and the niece of alumni member Beverly Hoover Sloan.

• Paris Hackett, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Hackett is pursuing a double major in media and journalism and studio art. She said money from the scholarship will help her study abroad in the fall.

She is the daughter of Jimmie and Monica Hackett and the granddaughter of alumni member Olean Hall.

• Myles Holland, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Holland is completing his second year in college.

”Being able to help people is something I have always had a passion for,” he said. “This passion to help drives me to pursue a career in occupational therapy.”

Myles is the grandson of alumni member Carolyn Long Napoleon.

• Jayla Mcduffie, American International College

In her comments about future plans, Mcduffie said, “My educational aspirations consist of one day owning my own accounting firm and helping young athletes entering the professional arena to balance, manage and handle their financial needs.”

She is the daughter of Ivan and Pamela Mcduffie and the niece of alumni member Elaine Patterson Tate.

• Christopher Maultsby, Savannah State University

Pursuing a degree in business management, Maultsby received a letter of recommendation that called him “one of the young men that I look forward to having in my establishment.”

“He’s dedicated to meeting challenges head on and shaping a positive outcome for his own future and in turn become a productive member of society,” the letter read.

Maultsby is the son of Brian and Tonja Maultsby and the grandson of alumni member Sandra Witherspoon Corpening.

• Patrick Tillman, Central Piedmont Community College

Through a dual enrollment cohort with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Tillman plans to major in theater.

In his statement of future plans, Patrick said, “My dream is to act, write and direct performances on Broadway or any other major city with a theater district.”

Patrick is the son of Patrick and Stacy Tillman and the nephew of alumni member Gretta Heath Saunders.

• Jalesa Venning, East Carolina University

Venning, a physician assistant student, has excelled in academics and been devoted to her community.

She is working through college programs to improve quality within the hospital setting as well as to distribute health nutritional information within the rural community.

Venning is the daughter of Audrey Venning and the granddaughter of alumni member Brenda Stout Venning.