Press Release
Waccamaw Community Foundation, the Grand Strand's leading philanthropic organization, has unveiled its list of 2023 scholarship winners, helping 10 local students offset the cost of higher education.
“Our goal is to help improve life for residents of the Waccamaw Region and aiding the area's next generation of leaders as they earn a college degree is a vital part of our mission,” said Mike Mancuso, executive director of Waccamaw Community Foundation. “The field of candidates for this year's scholarships was deep and talented, which only serves to highlight the credentials of our winners. We look forward to assisting 10 members of the class of 2023 as they earn a college degree and prepare for a life of prosperity.”
WCF's 2023 scholarship winners are:
Vanessa Alaimo is a 2023 Sun News Educational Foundation Scholarship recipient. She will be attending the University of South Carolina this fall as an International Business major.
Allene Bird is a 2023 Sun News Educational Foundation Scholarship recipient. She will be attending the University of South Carolina this fall as an Exercise Science/Kinesiology (Pediatric Physical Therapy) major.
Amauri Gibson is the 2023 Felix & Juanita Rhue Scholarship recipient. She will be attending North Carolina A&T State University this fall as a Mechanical Engineering major.
Caeden Graham is a 2023 Thomas W. Jones Memorial Scholarship recipient. He attends the University of South Carolina in the civic engineering program.
John Morris is the 2023 Boone Foundation Scholarship recipient. He will attend the University of South Carolina this fall as a student in USC's law program.
Landen Pollock is the 2023 John M. Draughn and Trena B. Draughn Scholarship recipient. He is attending Coastal Carolina University this fall.
David K. Raynor, III, is a 2023 Thomas W. Jones Memorial Scholarship recipient. He will attend the University of South Carolina in the mechanical engineering program.
Leticia Robeldo is the 2023 Sue's Hope Scholarship recipient. She will be attending Coastal Carolina University this fall as a Criminal Justice major.
Isaac Shumard is a 2023 Sun News Educational Foundation Scholarship recipient. He will be attending Clemson University this fall as an Education major.
Ryleigh-Caroline Williams is the 2023 Edsel J. “Coupe” DeVille Memoria Scholarship recipient. She will be attending the University of South Carolina Honors College this fall as a Biology major.
Available scholarships include:
The Edsel J. “Coupe” DeVille Memorial Scholarship
● Applicants must be graduating seniors from St. James High School or Socastee High School. Horry County students who have family who are members of Surfside Area Rotary Club are also eligible to apply.
Felix and Juantia Rhue Scholarship
● Candidate will be an African American high school senior, residing in Georgetown County, S.C., attending a Georgetown County school, with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or better, and planning to enroll in an accredited four-year institution in the U.S. Standardized test scores will also be a consideration.
John M. Draughn and Trena B. Draughn Scholarship
● Applicant must be accepted and attend either Coastal Carolina University (CCU) or Horry Georgetown Technical College (HGTC).
Sue's Hope Scholarship
● Submit an essay, “Vision For My Future Education,” of no more than 500 words. Student essay should demonstrate: A sense of “hope” despite obstacles in student's life, examples of challenges or obstacles student has overcome, and how student is trying to (or has already achieved) turning his or her life around.
Thomas W. Jones Memorial Scholarship
● Applicant must attend the University of South Carolina enrolled in the School of Engineering.
Boone Foundation Scholarship
● Preference to students from Horry County.
For more information on the Waccamaw Community Foundation, visit waccamawcf.org.
About the Waccamaw Community Foundation
WCF makes charitable giving simple and effective by offering individuals creative ways to establish and manage funds that will positively impact the Waccamaw Region for generations to come. WCF also offers advice about projects and organizations, helping donors meet their philanthropic goals.
Waccamaw Community Foundation has made a lasting impact in Horry and Georgetown Counties. Through the generosity of donors, it has awarded more than $21 million in grants since the Foundation was established in 1999.