11 Beaufort County high school seniors will be receiving scholarships
11 Beaufort County high school seniors will be receiving scholarships
11 Beaufort County high school seniors will be receiving scholarships
We are a little less than a month away from the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island, and now, one of the events leading up to the tournament is in the books.
It’s a sure sign that the RBC Heritage is just around the corner. The Heritage Classic Foundation recognized its 2025 scholarship winners with its Scholars Luncheon.
The luncheon recognizes 11 outstanding high school seniors from Beaufort County who are receiving scholarships ranging from $4,000 to 20,000.
“Truly what we do, the Heritage Foundation, is to give back,” said Steve Wilmot, tournament director, RBC Heritage. “And the scholarships are very important to us. And, we’re recognizing 11 incredible student athletes here in this community. And, you know, that’s why we do what we do.”
One scholarship recipient is receiving a one year $4,000 award, four of the scholars are receiving $16,000 scholarships for four years, while four others will get $20,000 for four years.
“I’m the first one in my family to have this educational experience,” said Genesis Hernandez Cabrera, Bluffton High School senior and $20,000 scholarship recipient. “So being able to have the privilege of even furthering my studies, it means everything to me.”
“I think it’s a great honor,” said Calvin Clayton, Hilton Head High School senior and $20,000 scholarship recipient. “It’s very special to me that I was able to be recognized by this amazing group of of members of my community. And it was just really special. I’m very honored. “
The Heritage Classic Foundation began back in 1987, and during that time, they’ve donated $56.9 million to educational and other charities in the Palmetto State.
In addition to those scholarships, the Heritage Classic Foundation is also providing four, $25,000 scholarships to the University of South Carolina-Beaufort and two, $1,500 annual scholarships to the Technical College of the Lowcountry.
Here is more about the 2025 Scholars:
Bryce Broome earned all-state honors on Hilton Head High’s track team and is team captain of the cross-country team. He has been studying Chinese since first grade and is the vice president of the Chinese Honor Society at his school. In his senior year, the IB Diploma candidate organized a 5k fundraiser to benefit Deep Well. He has a pressure washing business he runs on weekends and is a member of Young Life. Ward Kirby Award (One year, $4,000)
Calvin Clayton is the captain of Hilton Head High’s baseball team and leads the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club. He is vice president of the school’s National Honor Society and a member of the Chinese Honor Society. He is a DECA state qualifier and has volunteered with Volunteers in Medicine for the past two summers. He is also active in his church and has a part-time job at Hilton Head Outfitters. John Zimmerman Award ($20,000 for four years)
Mia Diamond holds down two part-time jobs in addition to being active in many organizations at Hilton Head High. She is a member of the Interact Club and the Dance Honor Society for her commitment to the Dance Team. She volunteers at The Deep Well Project and headed up a carwash to raise funds for St. Jude’s Research Hospital, earning her a St. Jude NextGen Experience award.
Emma Hamilton has competed on the tennis and wrestling teams at Battery Creek High and has participated in monthly Campus Clean-ups with the Interact Club. She has had a part-time job throughout high school and has a passion for sports medicine, working for the school athletic trainer and plans to pursue a career in the field.
Genesis Hernandez Cabrera is student body president at Bluffton High School and is also Past President of the Interact Club. She is a member of Youth in Government and was one of 20 delegates chosen to represent SC at the Conference on National Affairs. Serving as South Carolina’s only Youth Advocate, she spoke with U.S. senators and representatives about childcare in rural communities. She is an advocate for the Hispanic community. Tartan Award ($20,000 for four years)
James Holloman created a Spanish Club at May River High School, is vice president of the Beta Club and was selected to be Beaufort County School District’s US President Scholar Candidate. His volunteerism earned him the National Community Service Merit Award. He also plays lacrosse and plays the guitar. He plans to pursue a degree in electrical engineering and then join the Air Force.
Christopher Nguyen is a member of the Hilton Head Island Christian Academy golf team, helping them win a state championship in 2024. He shares that love of golf by volunteering at the First Tee. He created a debate club during his junior year, manages the robotics team, and writes for the school newspaper. He is a part-time bike mechanic and plays alto saxophone in his school’s jazz band. He hopes to have a career where he can help make clean drinking water more accessible in rural areas. Mike Malanick Award ($20,000 for four years)
Emeli Perez is an IB Diploma Candidate at Hilton Head Island High School. She serves as the vice president of the National Honor Society and is the secretary of the Science Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. Her interest in finance led her to participate in the state DECA competition, where she placed second. She tutors elementary school students struggling in math and English and helps kids at the Neighborhood Outreach Center with homework after school.
Ava Elizabeth Rios earned first-place honors representing Bluffton High at the Lower State Academic World Quest Competition. She has competed on the school’s soccer team since eighth grade and is a volunteer coach for a Rec Center youth team. She cares about the environment by being a Turtle Tracker and is Youth Chair of the Hilton Head Audubon. As president of Mu Alpha Theta, she leads SAT/ACT Test Prep Sessions for fellow students. Charlie Brown Award ($20,000 for four years)
Mia Ruxton is an IB Diploma Candidate at Hilton Head High and was a member of the tennis team and is the girls lacrosse team manager. In her junior year, she interned with the Boys & Girls Club, teaching children about the outdoors through fun games. She has had a part-time job since freshman year and plans to study marketing in college.
Vivian Zurakowski is a member of the jazz and marching bands at Bluffton High School, playing the piano in jazz band and captaining the percussionists. As a member of the band, she has marched in several parades. She was in the Hilton Head Bluffton Chamber’s Junior Leadership class her junior year and has rung the bell for the Salvation Army holiday drive. She will pursue a degree in STEM.
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