Published 12:05 am Saturday, April 19, 2025
By Karen Kistler
Members of Melissa Robbins’ family went on stage for the scholarship presentation. They are, from left, Gregg Robbins, John Robbins, Forest Mills, and Janie Mills. Jenny Lee, United Way Executive Director and Darrin Jordan, President, Rotary Club of Rowan, made the presentation. — Karen Kistler
A group photo was made of winners, They are front row, from left, Aislin Watts, Campbel Ellsworth and Caden Fleming; back row, from left, Rowdy Herge, Scout Troop 324 members and Baxter Heilg. — Karen Kistler
Corriher-Lipe Middle School won in the middle school category. — Karen Kistler
Salisbury Academy was the high school winner. — Karen Kistler
East Rowan Elementary School won for the K-5 schools award. — Karen Kistler
Dr. Jared Tice, chairman of the Service Above Self Committee welcomed everyone and recognized the Robbins famiily. — Karen Kistler
Dr, Jim Duncan provided closing remarks to the crowd. — Karen Kistler
Karen Kistler
karen.kistler@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — The 28th Service Above Self Youth Awards were presented in a special evening ceremony April 16 in the Keppel Auditorium at Catawba College.
Part of this year’s program was the announcement and presentation of a new Rowan County United Way and Rowan Rotary scholarship, the Melissa M. Robbins Education Scholarship, honoring the late Melissa M. Robbins, who served on the Service Above Self Committee and worked with the United Way.
It was shared that the “Melissa M. Robbins Education Scholarship was established in January 2025 in loving memory of Melissa Robbins, whose life was defined by her tireless service to others and her commitment to education.”
Members of her family were at the ceremony for this special event and went on stage during the announcement of the scholarship and winner. These included her husband Gregg Robbins, son, John Robbins and parents, Janie and Forest Mills.
Her mother said that they were really proud of Melissa, “and it just means so much that she is being honored this way. I know that it would mean a lot to her that she’s getting this kind of recognition. She worked hard.”
This inaugural scholarship was a matching scholarship between the Rowan County United Way and Rowan Rotary.
Jenny Lee, executive director of the local United Way, said that “The Melissa M. Robbins Education Scholarship honors both Melissa’s passion for education and the Service Above Self program. She was so proud of her higher education and how she was able to apply that to her work with United Way.”
Lee said that the Rowan Rotary members approached her about establishing a scholarship in her honor.
“Our board was compelled to contribute as Melissa loved and truly valued the benefits of this program,” said Lee.
Robbins served on the Service Above Self Committee for 25 years and was preparing for this awards ceremony when she died, noted Lee.
“To stand on stage with her family while presenting the scholarship was heartbreaking and yet, such a beautiful moment,” she said.
Darrin Jordan, president of Rotary Club of Rowan, joined them on stage for the presentation as well.
The scholarship was presented to the winner of the high school individual Service Above Self Winner and in an announcement to the winner, it was noted that “this scholarship reflects her belief in nurturing the potential of individuals like you, as your remarkable contributions reflect a profound commitment to uplifting those around you and inspiring meaningful change. We are honored to support your journey as you continue to lead by example and uphold these values.”
The winner of this first Melissa M. Robbins Education Scholarship and the high school individual winner of the Service Above Self Award was Eden Gilbreath, and as the recipient, she was awarded $2,000 to support her educational endeavors.
Eden, a student at North Hills Christian School, was nominated for the Service Above Self Award by Shari Evans for her work with her church, Stallings Memorial, helping provide meals to nearly 100 families on a weekly basis. In addition to this food outreach program, Eden also helped fill 750 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. She has also participated in foreign mission trips.
Additional awards in the high school individuals category were presented to first runner-up Cora Wymbs, a student at Next Generation Academy. She was nominated by Romar Morris. Cora spent part of her summer working with the Next Generation Academy Summer Camp, a program dedicated to the holistic growth of young learners. Her service played a crucial role in creating a positive, inclusive space for students. She has worked as a tutor aiding students in retaining and strengthening core academic skills and participated in a financial literacy program to provide participants with fundamental money management skills.
Second runner-up went to Baxter Heilig, a student at Salisbury Academy. He logged approximately 500 hours of volunteer service at the Habitat for Humanity Restore where he helped stock, price items, organize, load and unload items and make repairs as needed. He also worked a job, and attended various summer camps all the while helping in his volunteer duties. He was nominated by Meredith Williams.
High school groups were also presented awards. The winner was the VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement Summer Youth Volunteer Program nominated by Kimberly Davis. These students supported various veteran services and programs at the W.G. Bill Hefner VA Medical Center by helping more than 600 veterans get to their appointments and held an end-of-summer program for more than 1,500 veterans.
First runner-up was the Salisbury Academy Upper School Community Immersion Class nominated by Meredith Williams. This class set out to reduce their school’s solid waste by 25 percent and by working hard exceeded that goal.
Second runner-up was the West Rowan High School JROTC Battalion nominated by LTC (R) Dwayne Terry. This group participated in several activities that demonstrate a deep sense of patriotism and civic responsibility including cleaning up their school, honoring veterans and performing color guard services.
The middle school individual winner was Luther Lyerly who completed various projects with his scout troop to benefit the community including building a pergola for the State Veterans home and helping clean up the East Rowan YMCA. He was nominated by Ann Barber.
First runner-up was London Hartley, who was nominated by Nicole Sabellichi and Annika Hanson. She took on the project of building a “buddy bench” at China Grove Elementary School to help students who need space to calm down.
Second runner-up was Rowdy Herge, who was nominated by Sabellichi. This past year, he helped a neighbor remove a fallen tree and also collected donations for western North Carolina.
The winner for the Middle School groups was Scouts of America Troop 324, which was nominated by Ryan Smith. This group used their school fall break to help victims of Hurricane Helene, helping to unload and organize donated goods, worked in clean up efforts, and put together 100 first aid kits to be distributed
The first runner up went to the North Rowan Middle School Kindness Project nominated by Colleen Smiley. These students recognized a need in their school and collected more than 100 muffins and 20 family-sized boxes of food for food insecure second graders at North Rowan Elementary School. They also collected and organized over 8,000 toiletry items for Hurricane Helene Relief efforts.
Second runner-up went to North Rowan Middle School National Junior Honor Society nominated by Smiley. They helped with Hurricane Helene relief efforts and collected and donated 250 puzzles to Five Oaks Rehabilitation and Care Center.
In the K-5 category, the individual winner was Aislin Watts, who was nominated by Linda Rogers. Aislin helps deliver meals with Meals on Wheels and makes pillow cases for pediatric patients at Levine Children’s Hospital.
First runner-up went to Caden Fleming, who was nominated by Kim Howard. Caden helps out at PAT Therapy, providing support and encouragement to individuals of varying abilities.
Second runner-up was Campbell Ellsworth, who was nominated by Allison Doby. Campbell actively raised funds by making earrings and selling them at various events and has filled more than 500 shoeboxes for the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. She continues to fundraise and fill boxes.
The K-5 groups that received awards were, winner North Rowan Elementary School Kindness Project, which was nominated by Tara Melton. These students, it was noted, took the time to write letters to family, friends, and neighbors to help raise donations for victims of Hurricane Helene. They also collected more than 1,000 items to donate.
The first runner up was Girl Scout Troop 1178, which was nominated by Erin Derr. This girl scout troop, it was shared, does multiple community projects including spending time with residents at The Meadows of Rockwell and collecting hygiene products for the Battered Women’s Shelter.
The second runner up was the West Rowan Elementary School News Crew nominated by Laura Salow. These students keep the the student body informed about important events and were dedicated to their work and challenged themselves to learn new skills.
In making the awards presentations, it was announced that individual student winners in each division would receive a Visa gift card. Their school or non-profit would also receive a matching check, based on who nominated them. The first place winner would receive $250, the first runner up, $100; and the second runner up, $50.
With the group awards, a contribution was also given to their organization. The winning group received a $500 contribution; first runner-up received $100; and second runner-up received $50.
It was shared that the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College offered two $1,000 scholarships to the top middle and high school winners. The top middle and the three high school winners receive scholarships totaling $60,000 to Catawba College or Livingstone College.
Schools that presented numerous quality nominations and were submitted in a timely manner were presented awards. The winning schools received a $500 check and a banner. These winners were K-5, West Rowan Elementary School; middle school winner – Corriher-Lipe Middle School; and high school winner – Salisbury Academy.
During the evening, Dr. Jared Tice, chairman of the Service Above Self Committee welcomed all who came and recognized the Robbins family. Other members of the committee are Miriam Basso, Dr. Jim Duncan, Rebecca Hooks, Dr. Paul Lucha, the late, Melissa Robbins and Gloria Wilhelm.
Thanks were extended to the Catawba College women’s volleyball team and their coach, Brenn Ferguson, for their assistance with the initial judging and to Catawba College’s Dead Athenian Society for assisting during the program along with Desiree Dunston, Micah Ennis and Amy Young for final judging.
Duncan provided closing remarks as he said the students were our heroes and had them all stand which brought lots of cheers from the crowd.
“We are so proud of you,” he said.
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