They’re Counting On Us: A Look at the Institutions We Support Each Year!

For the past 38 years, the Connestee Falls Student Scholarship Program has supported students across Transylvania County to attend colleges across our nation. We are proud to collaborate with the Transylvania County Schools, Blue Ridge Community College and Brevard College to award these scholarships. From the funds raised in 2023 we are currently supporting 30 students from Transylvania County Schools, 20 students from Blue Ridge Community College, and 14 students from Brevard College for the 2024-2025 academic year. All 64 students are Transylvania County residents.

On April 23rd and 24th, our CFSSP Educational Liaisons along with a Board member interviewed Transylvania County Schools’ students for scholarships for the upcoming academic year. Working with school officials representing Brevard, Rosman, and Davidson River high schools we will be able to provide more scholarships this year than ever before. That is because of your generous donations this past year! A number of students’ families were affected first by Helene and then again disrupted by the recent fires. More students than ever before applied for scholarships this year. Their stories are heartwarming, and their needs are great. Daniel Mehdi, one of the Educational Liaisons shared the following: “As one of CFSSP’s Educational Liaisons, I have the privilege to participate in the interview process for Transylvania County Schools students applying for our scholarships. The students’ achievements, sacrifices, family histories, and educational/career aspirations come to life during these interviews. It’s wonderful to have a first- hand look at how the CFSSP is making a difference for our county’s best and brightest and helping them pursue their dreams!”

Among the students we are supporting this year at Blue Ridge Community College are current and aspiring nurses, teacher assistants, first responders, welders, accountants, computer specialists, and others. On March 27th one of last year’s scholarship recipients was pictured on the front page of the Transylvania Time with Transylvania County Sheriff Chuck Owenby. Deputy Brandon Holder, a father of three children, received a scholarship to BRCC in 2023 and completed the Criminal Justice program in 2024. His dream is to one day be the Sheriff of our county.

Finally, we have fourteen students at Brevard College receiving CFSSP scholarships this year. Their majors include criminal justice, biology, computer science, exercise science, integrated studies, and history. One of the freshman receiving a scholarship is Gracie Gillespie. While she is undeclared in her major, she is quite a talented musician and also works part-time at Ingle’s to help pay for her education.

Over the next several months we will be interviewing new scholarship recipients and sharing their stories with you here and in the Transylvania Times.

Why should you consider contributing this year? Debra Izard, a current Board Member and Educational Liaison, shared her thoughts after recently interviewing Transylvania County students:

“We cannot fix the problems in our world. In meeting the scholarship student applicants who have grown up in our county, we see a glimpse of a life that is largely hidden from us in Connestee. They talk about being raised by grandparents because their parents were lost to drugs, about working an after-school job for grocery money, and about the sacrifice their family is making to try to send them to college. This is a direct view of where my donation goes. I am only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. Changing the lives of these Transylvania students is a big and important ‘something’.”

The last few months have been a challenge between Hurricane Helene and the recent fires. For those in need of support, this has only exacerbated their challenges. So…a big “Thank You” to all who have supported us in the past. We hope we can continue to count on you and our many new neighbors will join our efforts to provide deserving students of Transylvania County scholarships to pursue their dreams of continued education. Be on the lookout for your Count Me In! 2025 mailing within the next month. If you don’t receive the mailed information by June 15th…contact Terri Lowery at tntlowery@gmail.com and she will email you one directly. For additional information check out our website at www.cfscholarships.org.