Three Students Nominated from Carteret CC for 2023 State Awards

Morehead City, N.C. (February 8, 2023) – Carteret Community College awards Ms. Norah Patterson the Academic Excellence Award, Ms. Mya Pope the Dallas Herring Achievement Award, and Mr. Anthony Pile the Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award. These students were selected from among their peers at Carteret CC for their strong academic performance, outstanding leadership and service, and personal and professional integrity. As local award recipients, these students have earned the nomination and honor to proceed in the award selection process at the state level with the North Carolina Community College System in March.

Ms. Norah Patterson, a current student in the General Occupational Technology Program, was selected as the recipient of the Academic Excellence Award. This award recognizes and encourages scholarship among the students of the North Carolina Community College System. Created in 1998, the Academic Excellence Award is the highest academic honor that the System can bestow on its students. Every year, one student is selected from each of the 58 North Carolina community colleges who is currently enrolled, has completed at least 12 semester hours in an associate degree program, and has a cumulative grade point average of no less than 3.25.

“Norah is the pinnacle of academic success,” said Verna Chambers, Chair of Math, Engineering, and Physics at Carteret CC. “No goal is too high, and nothing is out of her reach. She is going to go far in life and do amazing things. We are so proud of her.”

Ms. Mya Pope, an Associate in Arts student, was selected as the recipient of the Dallas Herring Achievement Award. The Dallas Herring Achievement Award was established in 2010 by the North Carolina Community College System to honor the late Dr. Dallas Herring whose philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go” is the guiding principle of the system. The award is given annually to a current or former community college student who best embodies Dr. Herring’s philosophy. At the state level, Mya’s nomination, which includes a 500-word essay on how she best embodies Dr. Herring’s philosophy will be evaluated by a Selection Committee of the Student Development Administration Association (SDAA). If selected as the state recipient, Mya will receive a trophy and $1,000 this spring.

“Mya is ambitious, resourceful, and focused,” said Karen Bochnovic, Chair of Academic Success at Carteret CC. “She is an unusually driven student with a record of achievement that makes her an exceptional candidate for the Dallas Herring Achievement Award.”

Mr. Anthony Pile, an Associate in Science student and current president of the Student Government Association, was selected for the Governor Robert Scott Leadership Award. In 2004, the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents created this award to recognize student leadership on a statewide level while also honoring former Governor Bob Scott. Governor Scott served as the State’s chief executive from 1968-1972 and then was president of the community college system for 12 years from 1983-1995. This award is designed to highlight outstanding curriculum student leadership and service. At the state level, Anthony’s nomination, which includes his campus and community activities, letters of endorsement from college president, Dr. Tracy Mancini and a faculty member, as well as an essay describing the student’s outstanding leadership style, will be evaluated by representatives of the North Carolina Community College System. If selected as the state recipient, Anthony will receive a plaque and $1,000 or $250 as one of the five finalists.

“I am proud to know Mr. Pile and grateful for his service on campus while he pursues his own dream of completing a bachelor’s degree,” said college president, Dr. Tracy Mancini. “The wisdom and humility with which he has approached his time at Carteret CC has made a difference in the lives of many students in and beyond our TRIO program. In addition, he has been a positive role model for his daughter, who will graduate from Carteret CC this coming May.”

All three students will be recognized as award recipients at the local level during Carteret Community College Awards Night in May.

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