Edgecombe County student wins historic scholarship

TARBORO, N.C. — The Annie and Sallie Ann Wheeler Memorial Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce our 2024 scholarship recipient. Kalyn Johnson was named the winner during an Awards program at North Edgecombe High School (NEHS) on May 16.

Scholarship co-founder Linwood E. Hinton and Lily Wheeler Lowe, mother of scholarship co-founder Jamaal D. Pittman, announced the winner and made special presentations to all the applicants. Hinton and Pittman are NEHS graduates, class of 2008 and 1999, respectively. The scholarship is named in honor of their late great-aunts, Annie and Sallie Ann Wheeler. The two sisters raised three generations of proud NEHS Warriors and devoted their lives to ensuring the children in their family had access to education and opportunities.

When reflecting on Johnson’s scholarship application, Pittman said, “Kalyn is an exceptional student and already demonstrates a deep desire to be of service to her community in a lasting and meaningful way.”

Hinton added, “Kalyn is a well-rounded student building a strong foundation for success in her future pursuits.”

During the NEHS Awards program, Johnson received a souvenir check, noting her $4,000 scholarship award. The one-time, non-renewable award will be paid directly to East Carolina University, where Johnson will attend in the Fall.

Four additional scholarship applicants were also recognized by the Wheeler Scholarship Committee. Zykendrick Hyman, Na’Siyah Fountain, Angel Sharpe and Zyrian Pittman were presented with certificates recognizing their impressive applications. Scholarship applicants are required to have a grade point average of at least 2.5 and provide evidence of strength of character and a commitment to helping others. They must also have plans to enroll in a two or four-year college.

The scholarship endowment, believed to be the first of its kind established specifically for North Edgecombe students, is awarded annually to a graduating senior. Donors are welcome to support the scholarship fund. Tax-deductible donations can be made at www.WheelerScholarship.com .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.