PCHS' Brabble, Shepherd, Nixon awarded scholarships

Three Perquimans County High School seniors have been awarded scholarships to help them further their education at colleges or universities.

Daven Brabble and Breanne Shepherd were both awarded the $6,000 Thomas & Mary Chapley Scholarship during a recent awards event held by the Perquimans County Schools Foundation.

Jacob Nixon was awarded the $1,000 Madelyn Marie Byrum “Those Who Give Back” Scholarship at the same event.

The Chapleys have been sponsoring a scholarship every year for the past 10 as a way to assist graduates of Perquimans County High School who plan to attend a four-year college or university located at least 50 miles from Hertford.

Qualifications for the scholarship include that recipient have a grade-point average of 3.0 or better, good attendance, no discipline issues and plan to attend a college away from home.

“Your first year of college presents a lot of new experiences: living away from home, meeting new people and managing your time,” said Perquimans County Schools Foundation President Carson Stallings. “This scholarship targets students who can prepare and be successful for the transition from high school to life on campus.”

Brabble is a dual-enrolled student, taking both high school and college courses, including honors and advanced placement. She maintains a 4.6 GPA while also being active in her community and at school. She is a member of Future Farmers of America, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, HOSA, BETA and the Interact Club. She also is a member of the Perquimans County High School Pirates volleyball team.

Brabble plans to attend Meredith College where she wants to study business and major in accounting.

Shepherd also is a dual-enrolled student, taking classes at both PCHS and College of The Albemarle. She, also, maintains a 4.6 GPA and is also a member of her school’s Student Government, Interact Club, Debate Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

According to the PCSF, Shepherd is also active in her community, volunteering many hours to community awareness. She plans to attend Campbell University where she wants to study law, with a focus in wealth and trust management.

The Byrum Scholarship is awarded to a PCHS graduate “known for kindness, compassion and volunteering in the school and community,” according to the foundation.

Nixon is an honor student at PCHS where he is also an “avid soccer player,” according to the foundation. He has earned a number of honors, including scholar athlete and all-conference.

He volunteers with the Bethel Volunteer Fire Department, serves as a counselor at Camp Cale and has completed numerous certifications such as CPR training, Narcan administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency Intro to National Incident Management, NC Boater Education, and Fire Operations.

In his scholarship application, Nixon said his experience in emergency services has influenced what he hopes will be his career path.

“Being a volunteer for my community (volunteer fire department, water rescue and emergency services) has been a blessing and an eyeopener,” he said. “The ability to impact my community led me to seek a career as a flight paramedic, where I will be able to impact lives not only in this community, but all across the state.”

Nixon said he’s “well prepared for college” and “committed to remaining successful” as he pursues a degree in business administration as well as training in flight para-medicine, the foundation said.