Sandhills PRIDE has named four high school seniors as recipients of its 2025 scholarship awards, the organization announced in April.
The nonprofit, which serves LGBTQ+ people across the Sandhills region, selected recipients from a record number of applicants this year, said Bri Hersh, chair of Sandhills PRIDE. The group has awarded $95,000 in scholarships to 27 students through 2024 and increased 2025 scholarship amounts to expand its support, according to a news release.
The release said Sandhills PRIDE serves eight counties in the region, including Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Montgomery, Richmond and Scotland.
“Our mission is to champion equality for the LGBTQ+ community and to create meaningful opportunities for everyone,” Hersh said in the release.
Colel McCormick of Overhills High School in the Harnett County portion of Spring Lake received a $6,000 scholarship. Colel plans to attend UNC Wilmington and was recognized for academic excellence, community leadership and founding the school’s Dimensions Club, an initiative dedicated to amplifying LGBTQ+ and multicultural voices, the release said.
Dalton Venson “Ven” Brewer of North Moore High School in Robbins received a $3,000 scholarship. A student in theater design, Ven plans to attend UNC’s School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. The release said his application essay titled “Different” describes his experience growing up in rural North Carolina, thinking that something was not quite right with him, and details how finding community through theater helped him embrace his identity.
Another student from North Moore High School is Elliot Brannon, who was awarded the $3,000 Oldham Family Scholarship. Elliott will graduate a year early to attend Goucher College in Townsend, Maryland, to study psychology with the goal of becoming a youth therapist to support LGBTQ+ youth, the release said. He served as treasurer of the high school’s art club for two years and received the first and second district writing awards for the Daughters of the American Revolution competition, the release said.
Zyann T. Saunders of Cumberland Polytechnic High School in Fayetteville also received a $3,000 award. A student leader and member of multiple academic and arts programs, she plans to attend Campbell University and pursue a career in education and advocacy, the release said. Zyann received the North Carolina Association of Student Council’s Hall of Fame award in 2024.
The release said a scholarship reception to honor recipients is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 16 at the Weymouth Center in Southern Pines, 555 E. Connecticut Ave.
Tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for people under 18, with proceeds supporting future scholarships.
Tickets are available online at sandhillspride.salsalabs.org/2025sandhillspridescholarshipreception/index.html.
For more information, visit sandhillspride.org.
Reporter Lizmary Evans covers dining, retail, entertainment and culture for The Fayetteville Observer. You can reach her at LEvans@gannett.com.

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