Local students receive Herman Fuqua Memorial Scholarships

The Herman Fuqua Memorial Scholarship Committee has awarded $24,000 in scholarships to 16 students from May River High School and Bluffton High School for the fall 2026 academic year.
Each student received a $1,500 scholarship award, according to the committee.

Recipients from May River High School are Abbee Bolin, who plans to attend Charleston Southern University; Charles Crace, University of South Carolina; Nathan Gilley, Winthrop University; Ella Izzie, University of South Carolina; Ariel Rieck, Brevard College; Aurora Rieck, Albany State University; John Schroeder, University of South Carolina; and Hanalyn Weitekamper, West Point.

High School are Brynn Calendine, Catawba College; Samuel Deaton, University of Michigan; Danyela Fusi, Winthrop University; Connor McMorrow, Clemson University; AnnaMarie Matteo, University of South Carolina; Nicholas Phillips, Clemson University; Rebecca Wohn, Clemson University; and William Zendzia, University of South Carolina.

Students were selected based on accomplishments in the classroom, athletics, leadership, character and community impact.

The committee said the 2026 awards bring the program’s total to 68 students recognized and more than $106,000 awarded in scholarship funding since the program was established in 2020.

The scholarship honors the legacy of Herman Fuqua and is supported through community contributions and volunteer efforts. The committee thanked supporters for continuing to contribute to the program.

Members of the scholarship committee are Jim and Becky Bell; Joe and Lexanne Mattocks; John and Micki Lankes; Mike and Sandra Frazier; Steven Schwarz and Kathy Baskoff; Linda and Rockisha Fuqua; Karen Mraz; and Nick and Dori Jenkins.

The scholarship program continues to recognize graduating seniors from Bluffton and May River high schools as they prepare to continue their education at colleges, universities and military academies across the country.