Davidson County student presented with J. Howard Coble scholarship

DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — Thousands of students have just graduated from high schools across North Carolina. Many of them have no idea what they want to do with their lives yet, but one young man is already focused on a path to leadership and achievement. FOX8’s Cindy Farmer presented him with the J. Howard Coble Scholarship at his high school graduation.

Dalton Collins’ walk across the stage at Central Davidson High School started a new leg of a journey to emulate a man he never met. He was only nine years old when Representative Howard Coble passed away.

Coble represented North Carolina’s Sixth District in the U.S. Congress for 30 years. He believed in strong education, good citizenship, and high moral character. Coble’s nephew, Ray Coble Jr., established a scholarship through the High Point Community Foundation to help young people follow in his uncle’s footsteps.

Collins is now the sixth high school graduate to receive the reward – a check for $2,500. “It feels really good to get recognized like that,” says Collins. “You go through your life sometimes and feel like you don’t get recognized, but I feel like I got recognized today and it’s amazing. I’m looking to go to college at UNC-Chapel Hill to continue my career in education. I hope to pursue that and do well in it. I have had many educators make a big impact on me, so I’m hoping to do the same for other kids.”

Ray Coble says the scholarship committee selected Collins for the award because, just like his uncle, he believes Collins will give back and have a positive impact on everyone around him after college.

“The main focus is, we want to see what that individual’s going to do after he gets his education and gets integrated in his community cause Howard was a big community person,” says Coble.  “He was a single man. He never married, so he spent almost all his free time out of Washington back home on the weekends.”

Collins got involved with scouts at the age of 12. He says that gave him leadership opportunities. He became an Eagle Scout, got involved with two church groups, and he began coaching a soccer team. He plans to continue coaching after majoring in education at UNC-Chapel Hill with a minor in religion. He hopes to eventually attend seminary school. Just like Congressman Coble, Collins says he wants to show young people they can be involved in their community. “Find things you really do like and find ways to be active in that and to take leadership roles in that. You’ll make an impact that way.”

Coble’s nephew says he plans to do some fundraising to make next year’s scholarship amount even larger. Contributions are also welcome.

Applications for next year’s award open in January.

You can get more information online.

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