TOPSAIL BEACH NC– The Historical Society of Topsail Island (HSTI) has been awarding scholarships to local high school graduating seniors for more than thirty years. We invite you to celebrate this year’s scholarship winners at a luncheon in their honor on April 9, 2026, at the Historic Assembly Building.

"The Historical Society of Topsail Island is pleased to award 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."

Camren Reaves, a Topsail High School Senior, will present an essay, The Legend of the Washington Oak: How Ham and a Tree Shaped Hampstead’s Identity. 

Lily Rumley, also from Topsail High School, is a scholarship recipient for her Linocut art prints and essay on Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).

Anna Swan will present her essay, Anchored to the Past: The Sloop Point Plantation. Anna also attends Topsail High School.

Shane Taylor also from Topsail High School, will present his essay, The William H. Sumner: A Shipwreck, A Death, and a Mystery Buried in the Sands.

To RSVP for the luncheon, go to: Have lunch with an HSTI scholarship winner!

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