Names of Beaufort County students earning Heritage scholarships

Ten Beaufort County School District seniors have been named Heritage Scholars and awarded college scholarships ranging in value from $18,000 to $22,000. 

Two students will receive scholarships worth $22,000 in honor of two previous chairmen of the Heritage Classic Foundation's Scholar Committee, Mike Malanick and John Zimmerman. Those winners were Charlotte Bellomy at Beaufort High and Emma Stanton at Hilton Head Island High.

Eight district students will receive college scholarships worth $18,000 over four years:

  • Mary Bolgan, Hilton Head Island High School. 
  • Eileen Cooper, Hilton Head Island High School. 
  • Rebekah Crandall, Beaufort High School. 
  • Adam Lipsitz, Beaufort High School. 
  • Grayson Morgan, Battery Creek High School. 
  • Reagan Palmer, Beaufort High School. 
  • Erica Porter, Bluffton High School. 
  • Casey Witkowski, Bluffton High School. 

“These scholars are not just straight-A students,” Scholar Chairman Ward Kirby said at an awards luncheon sponsored by Palmetto Electric Cooperative.  “They are leaders in their schools, communities and churches. They have interests that vary from athletics to music to dance.”

Nearly 80 students applied for the awards, which were based on academics, financial need, recommendations, student essays, community involvement and extra-curricular activities.  Since the scholarship program began in 1993, the foundation has given $3.3 million to 252 students, including this year's scholars.

“These scholars certainly deserve the recognition they’re receiving,” said Beaufort County Board of Education Chairman Bill Evans.  “And any time you see students succeeding as these have, we also need to thank their parents and the many educators who helped them along the way.”

This year’s Scholar Awards were made possible by a Verizon Foundation grant awarded to the Heritage Classic Foundation in 2011.

Here are some highlights of the district’s 10 Heritage Scholars:

  • Charlotte Bellomy (Beaufort High) will attend Wake Forest University to study journalism and wants to be an international journalist. Played varsity tennis and is a student mentor.
  • Mary Bolgan (Hilton Head Island High) plans to attend the University of South Carolina Honors College to study psychology. Wants to be a forensic psychologist. Passionate about swimming and is a Scholastic All-American of USA Swimming.
  • Eileen Cooper (Hilton Head Island High) hopes to attend Notre Dame and study business and finance. Would like to be a financial analyst. Loves to dance, primarily ballet.
  • Rebekah Crandall (Beaufort High) will attend the University of South Carolina Honors College and major in pharmacy. Would like to be a research compounding pharmacist. She is the editor of the high school newspaper and teaches piano.
  • Adam Lipsitz (Beaufort High) will attend Clemson University Honors College and study computer engineering. Wants to develop and build computers. Known as the "Tech Man," he is active in his high school’s Engineering Club and robotics.
  • Grayson Morgan (Battery Creek High) will attend Brigham Young University and major in pre-law. After practicing law, he would like to teach law at the university level. Plays varsity tennis and is an Eagle Scout.
  • Reagan Palmer (Beaufort High) plans to attend Wake Forest University to study the biological sciences. Wants to do genetic research or genetic counseling. Varsity cheerleader and active in school theater productions.
  • Erica Porter (Bluffton High) will attend Furman University to study applied mathematics. Wants a career where she can use her mathematic skills. Has a passion also for dance and dance instruction primarily ballet.
  • Emma Stanton (Hilton Head Island High) will attend Davidson College to pursue an education degree. Her career goal is to teach in the elementary grades. Plays varsity tennis, sings in the school’s "Out of the Blue" choir.
  • Casey Witkowski (Bluffton High) will attend the College of Charleston to study finance and accounting. Plans to be a financial analyst or accountant. She runs cross-country and track.

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