The Willie Bradshaw Memorial Endowed Scholarship honors Durham-native Willie Bradshaw, an NCHSAA Hall of Fame inductee in 1995 and National High School Hall of Fame in 2010. Bradshaw was an outstanding athlete at Hillside High School, playing on the undefeated 1943 football team that went untied and unscored upon. He went on to North Carolina College (now NC Central University) and then on to pitch professionally for several Negro League teams. He became the first African-American city or county athletic director when he took over for the Durham City School system until his retirement in 1992.  These awards are presented to student-athletes who meet the academic criteria, have athletic involvement, and have sound character.

A’iyonia Coward is a senior at Jack Britt High School in Cumberland County, where she’s not only been busy competing in basketball, track and field, and lacrosse but also took on the role of captain and leading scorer for the Varsity Women’s Lacrosse Team. When she’s not on the field, A’iyonia is a member of several honor societies, including the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, and the National Society of High School Scholars. She’s dedicated to giving back through community service, helping with Christmas gift wrapping, organizing food and hygiene drives for families in need, and supporting the Cumberland HealthNET Day Resource Center. A’iyonia plans to study biology and dreams of becoming an OB-GYN, focusing on labor and delivery to combine her love for healthcare and helping others.

Jordan Hall is a senior at East Duplin High School in Duplin County, where he’s been excelling both on and off the field. With a GPA of 3.44, Jordan has earned All-Conference honors for football and basketball. He’s also deeply involved in his community and church. Accepted to multiple universities, including NC State and East Carolina, Jordan is excited to study Engineering Physics. His goal is to use his skills to solve real-world problems and make an impact through engineering.

Lailana Marie Harris is a senior at Perquimans County High School in Hertford County, maintaining a solid GPA of 3.60. She’s made a name for herself in basketball and track, racking up All-Conference and All-District awards. Lailana has been accepted to several colleges, including Barton and Chowan, and plans to pursue a degree in Biology. Her leadership on the court and in the classroom is just the beginning, as she’s determined to continue making a positive impact wherever she goes.

Tia Montgomery is a senior at South Mecklenburg High School in Mecklenburg County. With a GPA of 3.10, Tia has excelled in both academics and athletics, especially in softball and flag football. She’s thrilled to be heading to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to pursue a career in Social Work while continuing her athletic journey. Tia is committed to making a difference both on and off the field, using her leadership and passion for helping others to make an impact.

Janyah Emoni Moore is a senior at Southside High School in Beaufort County, where she’s maintaining an impressive GPA of 4.14. Outside of her studies, Janyah shines in track and field and cheerleading. She’s also active in the Beta Club and Math Club, showing her dedication to both academics and extracurriculars. Accepted into schools like ECU and NC State, Janyah plans to major in Biology and pursue a career in healthcare. She’s determined to balance her love for sports with her passion for making a difference in the world.

Zion Morrison is a senior at Scotland High School in Scotland County. He’s been a key player in both football and basketball, earning All-Conference honors and serving as a team captain. With a GPA of 3.48, Zion has been accepted to several universities, including the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and North Carolina A&T. He plans to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering, driven by his passion for innovation and problem-solving. Zion’s excited to continue growing as a leader both on and off the field.

Michael Petty is a senior at Clyde A. Erwin High School in Buncombe County. With a GPA of 3.0, Michael has been a standout on both the football field and basketball court, earning All-Conference and MAC honors. He’s set his sights on the University of the Cumberlands, where he plans to study Psychology. Through sports, Michael has developed leadership skills that he plans to apply as he works toward a career in social work, helping others overcome challenges and achieve success.

JaMyah Pickett is a senior at East Duplin High School in Duplin County, where she’s balancing a solid GPA of 3.54 with a successful athletic career. JaMyah stands out in both basketball and track, having set multiple school records and racked up plenty of awards, including MVP and Female Athlete of the Year. But her talents don’t stop there—she’s also passionate about giving back to her community. JaMyah is involved in initiatives like “Do the Work: Promoting and Protecting Good Mental Health” and volunteers for local events. She plans to pursue a degree in engineering design and is excited to continue making a positive impact in her community as she moves forward.

Timia Sales is a senior at West Forsyth High School in Forsyth County. Timia has earned All-Conference and All-District honors for her performance on the varsity softball team. With a GPA of 3.90, she has been accepted to Louisburg College and plans to major in Business Education. Timia is excited to further develop her skills in sports marketing while continuing to grow as both an athlete and a student. She’s ready to make an impact, both on the field and in her future career.

Giana Seay is a senior at Dudley High School in Guilford County, where she’s made a name for herself in both academics and extracurriculars. With a stellar GPA of 4.46, Giana is leading her school as Senior Class President and shining as a varsity volleyball player. Her leadership has earned her many awards, including a Gold Award for her Girl Scout project “Wash Away Worries.” Her passion for sports management drives Giana and hopes to create programs that empower underserved communities through sports, making them more accessible to everyone.

Everett Tatham is a senior at Andrews High School in Cherokee County, where he’s not only excelling in the classroom with a GPA of 4.40 but also on the field as a quarterback for the football team. Everett’s also a leader, serving as team captain and being an active member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society. His interest in law led him to intern at a law firm, fueling his dream to pursue a career in the legal field. Everett’s passionate about returning to his hometown after college to help contribute to his community’s growth and success.

Iveonna Ward is a senior at East Bladen High School in Bladen County, where she’s balancing her 4.00 GPA with success in soccer, basketball, and volleyball. She’s earned multiple honors, including Conference Player of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year. Outside of sports, she’s involved in clubs like FBLA and National Honor Society. Iveonna’s future goal is to become a physician assistant, with a particular passion for working in underserved communities to provide much-needed healthcare.

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