Last year, we were honored to award two outstanding students, Ciara Whitfield, and Leon Collins, with Impact Scholarships for the work they have already done and the work they are going to do.

Ciara Whitfield – Charleston County School of the Arts Alumna

📍 Freshman, Furman University

🎓 Major: Elementary Education | Minor: Spanish

Ciara’s dedication to education and leadership made her a standout recipient. She is committed to advocating for underrepresented communities in the criminal justice system by becoming a Criminal Psychiatrist. In her scholarship essay, she shared:

"I am choosing to major in Education because I want the platform and voice to inspire young minds and teach them that self love is one the most prized possessions they can ever have. I want to advocate that simply living is a blessing and should not be taken for granted. If humans are confident in themselves and have others that uplift them constantly, the regular narrative of hating oneself will slowly diminish."

Leon Collins – Fort Dorchester Alumnus

📍 Freshman, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University

🎓 Major: Computer Engineering

Leon’s passion for introducing affordable healthcare technologies to lower income communities in need set him apart as a recipient. In his scholarship essay, he wrote:

“I want to be able to bring change to the deserving communities that do not get a lot of attention. My goal is to use technology not just for advancement but for impact as well. I want to help ensure that no one is left behind in the future of healthcare."

These students exemplify the spirit of the Impact Scholarship—leaders who are dedicated to education, service, and innovation. With your support, we can continue investing in future changemakers and expanding the reach of the scholarship to more deserving students