The Golden LEAF Foundation announced that 215 rural North Carolina students were selected to receive up to a $14,000 Golden LEAF Scholarship, including seven in Lenoir County and one in Greene County.

High school seniors entering college as first-year students are eligible for a $3,500 scholarship each year for up to four years of undergraduate study at a participating four-year North Carolina college or university. Community college transfer students are eligible for $3,500 a year for up to three years of undergraduate study.

Recipients from rural or economically distressed North Carolina counties are selected based on future career goals and an expressed intent to contribute to the state’s rural communities upon graduation from college.

The Golden LEAF Foundation established the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program to broaden educational opportunities and provide support to students from rural counties with the goal that recipients will return and contribute to rural communities after graduation. The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) administers the program and selects students for awards.

“We are proud to award scholarships to hardworking and bright students with deep roots in their rural communities,” said Scott T. Hamilton, Golden LEAF Foundation President, Chief Executive Officer. “These students were selected out of a pool of nearly 2,000 applicants. We look forward to the future success of these scholarship recipients as they follow their education pursuits and develop into North Carolina's next generation of rural leaders.”

Scholarship recipients may also apply for the Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative. The Rural Internship Initiative provides Golden LEAF Scholars with professional work experience related to their career field in a rural North Carolina community. The Golden LEAF Foundation provides funding to pay interns $15 per hour for up to 400 hours of work. Internships take place between May and August.

“I offer my sincere appreciation to these exceptional students for earning the Golden LEAF Scholarship,“ said Senator Jim Perry. “Your hard work has paid off, and I have no doubt it will yield benefits for years to come. It’s because of you that I have hope in a strong future for our rural communities.”

“I congratulate all of the Golden LEAF Scholarship recipients from my district,” said Senator Buck Newton. “These students should be proud of their great accomplishment and having their hard work and dedication recognized. I wish them the best in their bright futures ahead.”

"I am thrilled to congratulate the exceptional students from NC House District 12 selected as this year's Golden LEAF Scholars," said Representative Chris Humphrey. "The Golden LEAF Foundation's investment ensures our young people are equipped with the skills and experiences necessary to drive economic and community growth. Our past Golden LEAF Scholars from District 12 have excelled in fields such as engineering, business, entrepreneurship, and government affairs, showcasing our district's incredible potential. I am confident these talented students will significantly contribute to our rural areas, creating a prosperous future for North Carolina."

The newly selected 2024-25 Golden LEAF Scholarship recipients from Lenoir County are as follows:

• Laney Baggett - UNC - Chapel Hill, South Lenoir High School

• Moriah Flowers - North Carolina Central University, Kinston High School

• Denaysha Green - Winston-Salem State University, Kinston High School

• Emily Jacobs - North Carolina State University, South Lenoir High School

• Allison Manning - East Carolina University, North Lenoir High School

• Deral Raynor - North Carolina State University, South Lenoir High School

• Emma Raynor - North Carolina State University, South Lenoir High School

The newly selected 2024-25 Golden LEAF Scholarship recipient from Greene County is as follows:

• Amyrah Bynum - East Carolina University, Greene Central High School

About Golden LEAF Foundation:

The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to receive a portion of North Carolina’s funding from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers. For 25 years, Golden LEAF has worked to increase economic opportunity in North Carolina’s rural and tobacco-dependent communities through leadership in grantmaking, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship as an independent and perpetual foundation. The Foundation has provided lasting impact to tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and rural areas of the state by helping create 68,000 jobs, more than $780 million in new payrolls, and more than 98,000 workers trained or retrained for higher wages. For more information about Golden LEAF and our programs, please visit our website at GoldenLEAF.org.

About North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority:

North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) administers the program on behalf of the Golden LEAF Foundation. Established in 1965, NCSEAA is the State agency that promotes access to higher education by administering financial aid and savings programs, informing students and families about paying for college, teaching educators about financial aid administration, and advocating for resources to support students.