First UCC awards scholarships
First United Church of Christ awarded eight merit scholarships to the college-bound students in its congregation. The scholarships are for $1,000 per year and are distributed at the beginning of each academic semester.
Students receiving these scholarships are all active in the many phases of church life. They have served, among other things, as acolytes, been active in Youth Fellowship, have helped with Bible school, attended Sunday school and have been on many mission trips.
Three students received the scholarship for the first time.
Matthew Laurens, son of Jay and Neely Laurens, is a student at Catawba College and a graduate of North Rowan High School.
Micah Cook, son of the Rev. James Cook, is a student at Catawba College and a graduate of West Rowan High School.
Joshua Schiemann, a graduate of Salisbury High School, is a student at Virginia Tech and is the son of Mark and Sarah Schiemann. Joshua was also awarded the James Lightbourne Scholarship which is given by the Women of the Southern Conference. Only 10 of these scholarships were awarded throughout the Southern Conference, which included all of North Carolina and Eastern Virginia.
Renewed scholarships were given to the following.
Hayley Mikkelson, daughter of Dan and Winnie Mikkelson, is a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and plans to go into the field of communications.
Allison Lee, daughter of Brian and Melody Lee, is a student at Winthrop University and plans to pursue a career in the golf/sports industry.
Drew Laurens, son of Jay and Neely Laurens, is a student at Catawba College and plans to seek a career in outdoors ministry.
Miller Sokolowski is the son of Mark and Jamie Sokolowski and is a student at North Carolina State University studying civil engineering.
Rebeca Schiemann, the daughter of Mark and Sarah Schiemann, is a student at East Carolina and is majoring in elementary education.