Editors: Winners are listed below. An asterisk indicates a double listing.
For recipients’ photos, go to
Seventy-nine young leaders from high schools across the United States – including 42 from North Carolina – have been named Morehead-Cain Scholars at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Among the largest and most competitive scholarship programs in the United States, the Morehead-Cain pays all expenses for four years of undergraduate study, including the cost of a laptop computer and four summer enrichment experiences.
The value of the scholarship is about $80,000 for each in-state student and $140,000 for each out-of-state student.
Six additional scholars were chosen – three from Great Britain and three from Canada.
The Morehead Scholarship and Morehead Foundation were renamed in February 2007 after the foundation received a $100 million grant from the Gordon and Mary Cain Foundation of Houston.
This year’s winners, announced today (March 11) by the Morehead-Cain Foundation trustees, were selected through a nomination and interview process that began last fall. More than 1,500 high school seniors were nominated by their high schools or applied for the Morehead-Cain.
From those nominees, the foundation and regional committees chose 140 finalists: 65 in-state, 71 out-of-state and four from Great Britain. The process concluded with interviews of the finalists in Chapel Hill March 3 and March 4. The Canadian scholars were chosen in a separate process.
“This year’s applicant pool was one of the strongest ever,” said Charles E. Lovelace Jr., executive director of the foundation. “We are very pleased to select the 2008 scholars from such an accomplished and inspiring group of high school seniors.”
Selection criteria are leadership, academic achievement, moral force of character and physical vigor. Morehead-Cain recipients are chosen by merit and accomplishments, not financial need. Winners have until April 14 to accept the scholarship.
Instituted as the first non-athletic merit scholarship program in the country, the Morehead-Cain has evolved into an experiential learning program with lifelong expectations, Lovelace said. The distinguishing feature of the scholarship is its summer enrichment programs, which provide global hands-on leadership and problem-solving experiences in four areas: outdoor leadership, public service, private enterprise and international research.
“Morehead-Cain Scholars are challenged to make a perpetual commitment to lifelong personal growth through hard work, discipline, humility and compassion,” Lovelace said. “We expect scholars to be leaders and agents of change, both on campus and in their local and global communities.”
Currently, 187 Morehead-Cain Scholars study on campus, making outstanding contributions in many areas of University life. Among them are the executive director of Students for Students International and the membership and outreach coordinators for the Campus Y social justice organization.
In the past six years, six Morehead Scholars have won Rhodes Scholarships to England’s Oxford University, one of the world’s most competitive and prestigious awards for graduate study. Of 26 Rhodes recipients from UNC since the first Morehead Scholars graduated from Carolina in 1957, 23 have been Moreheads.
The scholars have accounted for 19 of the university’s 26 Luce Scholars and 16 of Carolina’s 27 Truman Scholars, awards that are among the nation’s most generous and distinguished for graduate study. Twenty Morehead Scholars have won Fulbright Fellowships.
Nearly 3,000 Morehead alumni live and work in 48 of the 50 United States and in 24 other countries. They include:
- Pulitzer Prize-winning author Taylor Branch;
- U.S. Congressmen Jim Cooper, Mike McIntyre and David Price;
- Sallie Krawcheck, head of Global Wealth Management for Citigroup and No. 6 on the September 2006 Forbes list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women;
- Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International;
- Caleb and Louise King, medical missionaries in Rwanda;
- Ken Thompson, chief executive officer of Wachovia Corp.; and
- Karen Stevenson, a Los Angeles attorney and the first black American woman to win a Rhodes Scholarship.
For more information, visit http://www.moreheadcain.org or call the foundation at (919) 962-1201. The 2008 Morehead-Cain recipients are listed below, alphabetically by N.C. county, state and country. Winners listed in more than one place are noted with an asterisk.
NORTH CAROLINA RECIPIENTS
Alamance
Tyler Johnson Cook of Graham High School, son of Jay and Lori Cook of Graham.
Buncombe
*Erik Mason Davies of the Asheville School, son of Sean and Karin Davies of Charlotte.
Leah Rose Downey of Asheville High School, daughter of Stephen Downey and Gail Ely of Asheville.
Burke
Jacob Gerald Sharp of Freedom High School, son of Will and Amy Sharp of Morganton.
Carteret
Courtney Michelle Grafton of Croatan High School, daughter of Scott and Ginny Grafton of Stella.
Catawba
Victoria Nicole Stilwell of Hickory High School, daughter of Catherine Crisco of Hickory.
Dare
*Morgan Jane Skiperdene of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, daughter Sheila Collie of Waves and Brent Schippidinni of Mancora, Peru.
Durham
Jessica Nicole Anderson of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics, daughter of James and Gueiza Anderson of Durham.
*Grayson Elliott Cooper of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics, son of Frank and Sandi Cooper of Sylva.
*Morgan Jane Skiperdene of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, daughter of Brent Schippidinni of Mancora, Peru, and Sheila Collie of Waves.
Shivani Sud of Charles E. Jordan Senior High School, daughter of Ish and Anu Sud of Durham.
*Kim Thien Vuong of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics, daughter of Ninh Vuong of Anaheim, Calif., and Kiem Dang of Charlotte.
*Nancy Yimei Yang of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics, daughter of Guochen Yang and Liwen Han of Greensboro.
Forsyth
Brent Ford Macon of Mount Tabor High School, son of James and Martha Macon of Winston-Salem.
Gaston
Seth Bachman Crabtree of Forestview High School, son of Scott and Lenora Crabtree of Gastonia.
Laura Taylor Paschall of the Highland School of Technology, daughter of Tim and Nancy Paschall of Gastonia.
Guilford
Christina Adams Olson of Walter Hines Page High School, daughter of Steven and Bettie Olson of Greensboro.
Joseph Moore Terrell of High Point Central High School, son of Tom and Gaither Terrell of High Point.
*Nancy Yimei Yang of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, daughter of Guochen Yang and Liwen Han of Greensboro.
Jackson
*Grayson Elliott Cooper of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, son of Frank and Sandi Cooper of Sylva.
Johnston
Danielle Marguerite Heider of West Johnston High School, daughter of Yvette Heider of Clayton.
Lenoir
Troy Gregory Smith of South Lenoir High School, son of Greg and Sandy Smith of Deep Run.
Mecklenburg
Adam David Brawley of Ardrey Kell High School, son of David and Ladonna Brawley of Charlotte.
John Wesgaard Danello of Myers Park High School, son of Tim and Grace Danello of Charlotte.
*Erik Mason Davies of the Asheville School, son of Sean and Karin Davies of Charlotte.
Kelsey Rushing Farson of DaVinci Academy in Davidson, daughter of Jak and Teresa Farson of Davidson.
Amber Micole Koonce of Providence High School, daughter of Donnie and Masherrill Koonce of Charlotte.
Anthony Morris McClenny of Zebulon B. Vance High School, son of Andrew and Darlene McClenny of Charlotte.
Kathleen Alicia Powers of Charlotte Latin School, daughter of James and Alicia Powers of Charlotte.
Katherine Battle Shintay of Myers Park High School, daughter of Peter and Mary Shintay of Charlotte.
*Kim Thien Vuong of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, daughter of Kiem Dang of Charlotte and Ninh Vuong of Anaheim, Calif.
Moore
*Jessica Lauren Gregory of the O’Neal School in Southern Pines, daughter of Dan and Denise Gregory of Rockingham.
Nash
John Randolph Deans of Rocky Mount High School, son of William and Charlotte Deans of Rocky Mount.
Ann Emmad Soltan of Rocky Mount High School, daughter of Emmad and Maysoun Soltan of Rocky Mount.
Onslow
Hampton Hunter Bruton of Dixon High School, son of Timothy and Freda Bruton of Sneads Ferry.
Alexis Meredith Cribbs of Jacksonville High School, daughter of Tim and Cindy Cribbs of Jacksonville.
Orange
Siyuan Peter Sheng of East Chapel Hill High School, son of Huaxin Sheng and Yaoli Shi of Chapel Hill.
Randolph
Adam Michael Glass of Asheboro High School, son of Patricia Asbill and the late Timothy Glass of Asheboro.
James Phillip Scotton of Eastern Randolph High School, son of Eva Scotton Lamb and the late John Scotton of Liberty.
Richmond
*Jessica Lauren Gregory of the O’Neal School in Southern Pines, daughter of Dan and Denise Gregory of Rockingham.
Robeson
Anthony Eric Dent of Lumberton Senior High School, son of Eric and Amy Dent of Lumberton.
Transylvania
Allison Colleen Hawkins of Brevard High School, daughter of Mike and Claudia Colleen Hawkins of Brevard.
Wake
Shenise Nicole Gilyard of Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School, daughter of Deweese and Pamela Gilyard of Raleigh.
Adam Migliore Meyer of Raleigh Charter High School, son of Andrew Meyer and Sally Migliore of Raleigh.
William Griffin Morrel IV of Cary Christian School, son of Grif and Elizabeth Morrel of Cary.
William Harris Thomason of Cary High School, son of Marshall and Roberta Thomason of Cary.
Alice HwaChuan Yen of William G. Enloe High School, daughter of Tien-Shi and Laura Yen of Raleigh.
Wayne
Noelle Elizabeth Kelly of Eastern Wayne High School, daughter of Milas and Cynthia Kelly of Goldsboro.
OUT-OF-STATE RECIPIENTS
California
Zealan Taylor Hoover of the Bishop’s School in La Jolla, son of George and Janet Hoover of Solana Beach.
*Kim Thien Vuong of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, N.C., daughter of Ninh Vuong of Anaheim and Kiem Dang of Charlotte, N.C.
Gabrielle Wilkerson-Melnick of the Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, daughter of Daniel Melnick of Hollywood and Cynthia Wilkerson of Los Angeles.
Connecticut
Lauren Elaine Provini of Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, daughter of Raymond and Mary Provini of North Haven.
Florida
Elizabeth Anne Smith of the Bolles School in Jacksonville, daughter of Scott and Darcy Smith of Jacksonville.
Georgia
Lydia Grace Arias of Marist School in Atlanta, daughter of Fernando and Janet Arias of Atlanta.
Geoffrey Jarrard Cole of Athens Academy in Athens, son of Geoffrey and Mary Cole of Athens.
Hawaii
Courtney Hana Fukuda of Punahou High School in Honolulu, daughter of Koichi and Rosanna Fukuda of Kaneohe.
Iowa
Kate Josephine Baustian of Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, daughter of Gordon and Jann Baustian of Cedar Rapids.
Louisiana
Abigail Faye Nix of Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, daughter of William and Violet Nix of New Orleans.
Cody Montana Sam of Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans, son of Michael Sam of New Orleans and Melanie Minor of Harvey.
Maine
*Eric William Jones of St. Paul’s School in Concord, N.H., son of William and Janet Jones of Wells.
Massachusetts
Elizabeth Claire Bloom of Milton Academy in Milton, daughter of Bradley and Terrie Bloom of Wellesley.
*Selena Howard Elmer of St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I., daughter of Tad Elmer of Cambridge and Eleanor Elmer of Portsmouth, R.I.
*Nayab Hasan Khan of Phillips Academy in Andover, daughter of Nasim and Faye Khan of Houston.
Maryland
*Thomas Patrick Bardenwerper of St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., son of Walter and Patricia Bardenwerper of Bethesda.
Eliza Simpson Kern of Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, daughter of John and Kate Kern of Bethesda.
*Bianca Sophie Rahill-Marier of National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., daughter of Bilal Rahill and Veronique Marier of Bethesda.
Carroll Wesley Wollard III of Saint James School in Saint James, son of Carroll and Diane Wollard of Hagerstown.
Michigan
Nicholas Kenneth Hinzy Andersen of Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School in Bloomfield Hills, son of Frank Martin Andersen and Patricia Jean Hinzy of Milford.
Missouri
Rachel Elizabeth Maddux of John Burroughs School in St. Louis, daughter of Michael and Susan Maddux of Chesterfield.
Montana
Grace Stevens Phillips of Bozeman High School in Bozeman, daughter of Michael and Linda Phillips and Tonya Stevens of Bozeman.
Nebraska
Rebecca Joy Crabb of Westside High School in Omaha, daughter of Ian and Suzan Crabb of Omaha.
New Hampshire
*Eric William Jones of St. Paul’s School in Concord, son of William and Janet Jones of Wells, Maine.
New Jersey
Nicholas Mark Lennon of Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, son of Mark and Janice Lennon of Lincoln Park.
Todd Patrick Lewis of Blair Academy in Blairstown, son of Peter and Donna Lewis of Washington.
*Matthew James Miller of the Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, son of James and Debra Miller of Florence, S.C.
Ohio
Jared Fox Hinze Jones of University School in Hunting Valley, son of Jace Jones and Susan Hinze of Shaker Heights.
Lily Margaret Roberts of Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights, daughter of Steve and Patty Roberts of Shaker Heights.
Pennsylvania
Christopher Patton Nickell of Sewickley Academy in Sewickley, son of Patton and Karen Nickell of Sewickley.
Rhode Island
*Selena Howard Elmer of St. George’s School in Middletown, daughter of Tad Elmer of Cambridge, Mass., and Eleanor Elmer of Portsmouth.
*Naseemah Yaasameen Mohamed of Portsmouth Abbey School in Portsmouth, daughter of Ramadan and Rowena Mohamed of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
South Carolina
*Matthew James Miller of the Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, N.J., son of James and Debra Miller of Florence.
Tennessee
Austin Streetman Branstetter of Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, son of Dewey and Julie Branstetter of Nashville.
Texas
*Nayab Hasan Khan of Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., daughter of Nasim and Faye Khan of Houston.
James Kelly McAuley Jr. of St. Mark’s School of Texas in Dallas, son of James and Jennifer McAuley of Dallas.
Megan Elizabeth Raymond of the Episcopal School of Dallas, daughter of Robert and Anne Raymond of Dallas.
Utah
Sydney Elizabeth Hartsell of Rowland Hall-Saint Mark’s Upper School in Salt Lake City, daughter of Stephen and Wesley Hartsell of Salt Lake City.
Virginia
Susan Eleanor Clark of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, daughter of Bob and Rose Clark of Annandale.
Caroline Wills Ott of St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, daughter of Richard and Becca Ott of Richmond.
Washington
Holly Virginia Kuestner of Lakeside School in Seattle, daughter of Rolf and Sue Kuestner of Bothell.
Washington, D.C.
*Thomas Patrick Bardenwerper of St. Albans School in Washington, son of Walter and Patricia Bardenwerper of Bethesda, Md.
*Bianca Sophie Rahill-Marier of National Cathedral School in Washington, daughter of Bilal Rahill and Veronique Marier of Bethesda, Md.
West Virginia
Parker Alford Lawrence of Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, son of Hank and Kathryn Lawrence of Bridgeport.
INTERNATIONAL RECIPIENTS
Canada
*Adam Jutha of Upper Canada College in Toronto, son of Shafik Jutha of Nairobi, Kenya, and Rosemin Jiwa-Jutha of Toronto.
Evgeniya Serdetchnaia of Newmarket High School in Newmarket, Ontario, daughter of Viatcheslav Serdetchnyi and Oxana Serdetchnaia of Newmarket.
Brendan John Yorke of Cobequid Educational Centre in Truro, Nova Scotia, son of Stephen and Paulette Yorke of Truro.
Great Britain
Gregor Campbell MacLennan of Fettes College in Edinburgh, Scotland, son of Keith and Fiona MacLennan of Glasgow, Scotland.
Russell James Westcott Martin of Sevenoaks School in Sevenoaks, Kent, England, son of Andrew and Martha Martin of Buckinghamshire, England.
*Joel Katende Semakula of St. Angela’s and St. Bonaventure’s Sixth Form Centre in London, son of Pauline Semakula of London and Jonathan Semakula of United Arab Emirates.
Kenya
*Adam Jutha of Upper Canada College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, son of Shafik Jutha of Nairobi and Rosemin Jiwa-Jutha of Toronto.
Peru
*Morgan Jane Skiperdene of the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, N.C., United States, daughter of Brent Schippidinni of Mancora and Sheila Collie of Waves, N.C., United States.
United Arab Emirates
*Joel Katende Semakula of St. Angela’s and St. Bonaventure’s Sixth Form Centre in London, England, son of Pauline Semakula of London and Jonathan Semakula of United Arab Emirates.
Zimbabwe
*Naseemah Yaasameen Mohamed of Portsmouth Abbey School in Portsmouth, R.I., United States, daughter of Ramadan and Rowena Mohamed of Bulawayo.
For information about the Cain Foundation grant, visit http://www.morehead-cain.org/servlets/
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Morehead-Cain Foundation contact: Jennifer Bahus, (919) 962-1201; cell (919) 523-9293
News Services contact: L.J. Toler, (919) 962-8589; cell (919) 219-6374