Parrish Endowment awarded

Three students received a Jody Parrish scholarship to attend Beaufort County Community College this spring. The endowment was established by Parrish’ mother Margaret “Margie” Holder. This year, additional scholarships were made possible through a generous memorial gift from friends and family of Parrish.

Selected for the awards were Juanita Faye Copeland, Cassandra Eborn, and Doris Moore.

Copeland, 39, is a student in BCCC’s Early Childhood Program. She graduated from Washington High School and also received training in Office Systems Technology and Business Administration. She is employed as an assistant manager at Dollar General in Washington. The daughter of Josephine Copeland of Washington, Copeland has three children and one grandchild. After completing her studies at BCCC, she plans to work with children with special needs.

“I want to say thank you for this scholarship,” she said. “I have worked hard this semester.”

Eborn, 25, of Belhaven, is a student in BCCC’s Office Administration Program. She attended Northside High School and earned her General Educational Development, or GED. The daughter of Beverly and Mike Spencer of Belhaven, she has one child. Eborn hopes to find a job in her field and continue her studies after graduating from BCCC.

“I would like to say thank you,” she said. “If it wasn’t for this award, I would be lost.”

Moore, 62, of Chocowinity, is a student in BCCC’s Early Childhood Program. A graduate of P.S. Jones High School, she also holds an associate’s degree in Office Systems Technology and credentials in Early Childhood and School-age Child Care. Moore is employed at the Beaufort County Education Technology Center.

“I greatly appreciate the opportunity to receive such an honorable award,” she said.

The endowment was established by the family of Joseph Edward Parrish, known as Jody. Parrish, the son of Margaret P. Holder and Joe Parrish, died as a result of injuries suffered in an airplane accident in Smithfield just one month after he turned 21 years of age. His family established the endowment to continue the example of his life by helping others realize their hopes for a better life through higher education.