Duplin student receives Victor E. Bell Jr. Scholarship

WARSAW — Shira Jiang, a bright 12-year-old middle school student from Warsaw, has been awarded the 2025 Victor E. Bell Jr. Scholarship by the College Foundation of North Carolina. Diana Evans, a counselor at Warsaw Elementary School, made the exciting announcement last week.

“Shira is a hard-working, responsible student who is eager to learn,” said Evans when asked to describe Shira. “She is respectful to her teachers and she is focused on her education.”

Named after the former chairman of the board of trustees for CFNC, the scholarship is awarded annually to 10 seventh-grade students across the state. Each winner receives $2,000 annually, totaling up to $20,000 over the course of the scholarship.

This scholarship program is designed to motivate and empower academically talented students, helping them sustain their academic performance and ultimately secure a college degree.

According to the CFNC, the scholarship program was established to assist students who demonstrate strong academic potential but face limited financial resources, making college a realistic option for those who might not have considered higher education otherwise. The scholarship encourages students and parents to start thinking about college at a young age and to prepare for the future.

Every fall, deserving students are nominated by their middle school counselors or college access groups, recognizing their hard work, commitment, and leadership.