By Staff
Waters, Martin among scholarship applicants
By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles &Features Editor
Of the estimated 16,000 students who applied for prestigious Morehead-Cain Foundation scholarships, two Beaufort County Schools students were among the 260 seniors from North Carolina to survive the first cut.
Cameron Waters of Northside High School and Graham Martin of Washington High School were in the running for the scholarships, available to students planning to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Although they learned late Friday that they would not be advancing to the next round, which narrows the state field to 55 semi-finalists, each remained upbeat despite the disappointment.
Waters said early Friday afternoon that, regardless of the outcome, she was looking forward to getting a new puppy, which she has already named Reagan.
Waters also remained optimistic since she is in the running for a Park Scholarship at North Carolina State University; she expects to learn if she has advanced for that scholarship next week. Both the Park and the Morehead-Cain awards offer a “full ride,” covering all costs for tuition, books, room and board.
Martin, the 18-year-old son of Jay and Jeanne Martin of Washington, said he will be following a family tradition when he enrolls in UNC; his parents and other relatives went to school there. He hasn’t decided on a major yet, he added.
Attending UNC-Chapel Hill is also somewhat a tradition for Waters’ family.
The 18-year-old daughter of Karen and Kenneth Heffley of Bath and Anthony Waters of Pinetown, Waters wants to study biomedical engineering with a career goal of becoming an optometrist.
To even make it past the first round of eliminations, students applying for the Morehead-Cain scholarship must meet strict criteria addressing leadership, scholarship, moral force of character and physical vigor.
Both Waters and Martin obviously measure up.
Waters has been active in Northside’s Science Olympiad program, earning six medals in regional competitions during the past three years. She also participates in Future Business Leaders of America and SkillsUSA competitions, and her athletic abilities are on display during softball and volleyball seasons. Other extracurricular activities listed on her resume include the NHS Key Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Science Club.
Martin, too, is involved in Science Olympiad competitions, accompanying the WHS team to the national finals where he and his partners placed 10th in the country in experimental design. He is ranked number one in his class and was elected by his peers to serve as president of the National Honor Society. An avid golfer, he has played for the WHS team for three years, making the conference regionals as a junior. He is also an Eagle Scout and is active with Young Life, a Christian youth program.