TOPSAIL BEACH, NC – For nearly three decades, the Historical Society of Topsail Island (HSTI) has provided scholarships to graduating seniors from local high schools. At the annual scholarship luncheon held on April 10th this year, HSTI awarded four scholarships amounting to a total of $18,000.

"The Historical Society of Topsail Island is pleased to offer scholarships to local high school students annually to support their educational pursuits," stated Karen Gavigan, Chairman of the HSTI Education Committee. "Our scholarship recipients are chosen based on their academic performance, community involvement, and participation in extracurricular activities. HSTI is honored to recognize this year's four exceptional students."

Nathan Deitz, a Topsail High School Senior, received a scholarship for his essay, Sloop Point Plantation: A Timeless Legacy on the North Carolina Coast. Nathan is the son of David and Heidi Deitz.

Allana Chase, also from Topsail High School, is a scholarship recipient for her essay on Camp Lejeune. Her Parents are Allan Chase and Stephanie Clark.

Allie Miller presented her embroidered work on the Talos Missile display. Allie attends Pender Early College, and her parents are Robert and Melissa Miller.

Sinead Morrow also from Pender Early College, presented her painting of the Burgaw Train Station. She is the daughter of John and Phan Morrow. 

The students presented their projects at the awards luncheon. Attending the luncheon in addition to HSTI members, the scholarship recipients, and their family members were Topsail High School (THS) counselors Tabitha Ward and Jonathan Buchanan; Pender Early College (PEC) counselor Abby Robbins, and Shannon Grable, PEC Career Development Coordinator.

For more information about the Historical Society of Topsail Island, or the Missiles & More Museum, visit https://topsailhistoricalsociety.org/  https://missilesandmoremuseum.org/  Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Pictured l-r are the scholarship recipients: Nathan Deitz, Allie Miller, Sinead Morrow, Allana Chase

Photo credit: Tammy Proctor, Executive Director, Greater Topsail Island Chamber of Commerce & Tourism