2006 HCC GRADUATE ESTABLISHES SCHOLARSHIP

Dwayne Banks, former Student Government Association (SGA) Vice-President and 2006 honor graduate of Halifax Community College (HCC), has established a scholarship at the college. Banks has had a successful tenure at HCC and believes he is blessed to have received an education there.

“I feel obligated to give back to my school. As a student leader and now graduate of HCC, I believe that I must lead by example. HCC has been good to me. Through all that the institution and administration has had to endure in the past couple of years, not once did I feel neglected as a student. My needs were well attended, and I am grateful for that,” Banks said.

As an exceptionally gifted student, Banks qualified for several scholarships and honors including the HCC Leadership Award, Enfield-Roanoke Rapids Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship, and the Golden Leaf Scholarship.

Establishing nurturing relationships with faculty, staff, administration, and students motivated Banks to create his own scholarship. “I owe the administration, instructors, and students of HCC a lot for assisting me and ensuring that I reach this stage of my education,” he said. “I can not imagine trying to do this on my own. It would have been close to impossible. No one makes it alone. There is always someone to lend a hand, and in my case, there were a lot of hands."

Banks plans to enroll in the Elizabeth City State University/HCC Teachers Preparation Program to receive a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. “I intend to inspire my students and their parents to pursue high academic achievement. I will fight for my kids and do all that I can to make them believe that they can excel,” he said.

Obtaining Masters and Doctorate degrees in Education Administration are also in the sights of this ambitious young man. Ultimately he plans to work as a principal and move from there to the superintendent level. “With lofty goals come lofty responsibilities. I desire to give of my time, energy, and monies in the uplifting of our children,” he said. Banks added, “Cost of tuition at HCC – 16 or more credit hours - $608; books and supplies around $350-$450; giving back to HCC…PRICELESS!”