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OHS Senior Spotlight and Special Shout-outs!
Several seniors from the Orange High School Class of 2021 have achieved some amazing honors and noteworthy recognitions, as they take their next steps as high school graduates and higher education!
*Be sure to scroll and read all the way to the end!
Matthew Geib
Matthew’s school counselor, Phyllis Farlow, describes him as a goal-driven leader and role model, whose own personal expectations of himself definitely set him apart from the crowd. Matthew has been named an EC Scholar by East Carolina University.
According to the EC Scholars website, “This program offers you a significant scholarship valued at nearly $64,000 and challenging learning experiences for highly select group of East Carolina University undergraduates.
“The EC Scholars Award Program provides students rigorous coursework, research opportunities with faculty members across campus, and a required study abroad experience.”
“EC Scholars pursue excellence in every endeavor and collaborate to cultivate an inclusive and inspiring community. They also serve the public and seek to grow as engaged and purposeful citizens.”
EC Scholars Program is the most prestigious award program offered at ECU.
Matthew is the son of Ron and Kristi Geib of Hillsborough. He is also the captain of the OHS Swim Team.
Sascha Godfrey
Sascha Godfrey is a Park Scholarship recipient at North Carolina State University. There are only 40 recipients of this award for the Class of 2025, and they are selected among 2,203 candidates from across the state and around the globe.
The Park Scholarship at NCSU provides:
- Four-year scholarship valued at $112,000 for in-state students and $203,000 for out-of-state students, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, travel, and personal expenses
- Grants to fund professional and personal enrichment experiences, such as research projects, service activities, and conferences in the United States and abroad
- A variety of additional personal and professional development opportunities, and more!
Sascha is also a recipient of the National Merit Scholarship ®. More than 1.5 million students apply for these each year. According to the website, finalists for the National Merit Scholarship compete for these single-payment scholarships, which are awarded on a state-representational basis. Winners are selected by a committee of college admission officers and high school counselors without consideration of family financial circumstances, college choice, or major and career plans.
Sascha is the daughter of Devon Godfrey and Jocelyn Carbonara of Mebane.
School Counselor Phyllis Farlow describes her as a blend of immense toughness and kindness with the potential to be a great coach or champion of an important cause. Sascha is an outstanding track athlete and mentor, and she also happens to be in the top three of a graduating class of 309.
Lucas Hales
Last, but certainly not least, Lucas Hales has been named one of the 625 semifinalists for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, selected among nearly 6,500 candidates expected to graduate from high schools across the country in 2021. This is a monumental honor, not only for Lucas, but for the community at large.
According to the website:
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.
Lucas also received scholarship funds from the National Merit Scholarship ® Program. He has an insatiable passion for reading and keeps, at all times, a running list of books he is anxious to read. School Counselor Phyllis Farlow said she admires him very much and that she sincerely hopes that upon graduation from higher learning, he returns to the area to live and work.
Lucas is also a strong athlete, and he plays on the OHS Varsity Soccer team and runs Winter Track. He participates actively as a member of the OHS Environmental Club, Key Club, and Beta Club community service events. Lucas is a talented musician and has participated in Band for all four years at OHS, as well as Jazz Band--which meets one hour before school starts every day.
OHS School Counselor Phyllis Farlow recently reported that Lucas has committed to attend the University of Alabama where his National Merit Scholarship ® will provide the “full-ride” (up to five years) with some additional extra perks, including free housing, a National Merit Scholarship ® stipend of $3,500 for four years, one-time funds for summer research or an international study, and money for books for all four years.
Lucas if the son of Derek and Shannon Hales of Hillsborough.