Two receive SECU scholarships | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Two area students - Hunter L. Brickhouse and Myriah Jade Mason - were recently chosen to receive the State Employees' Credit Union Scholarship to attend Beaufort County Community College this year.

    Brickhouse, 18, of Creswell, is a student in BCCC's Automotive Systems Technology Program. A graduate of Creswell High School, Brickhouse plans to get a job as a technician in an automotive garage after graduating from BCCC. He is the son of Christopher and Michele Brickhouse of Creswell and works for Somerset Equipment Co.

    "I am honored to have been chosen for this scholarship," he said. "It will greatly help me in obtaining my degree."

    Mason, 21, of Williamston, is a student in BCCC's Associate Degree Nursing Program. A graduate of Washington High School, Mason plans to work as a pediatric nurse at a children's hospital after graduating from BCCC. She is the daughter of Diane and John Mason of Washington and Chocowinity and works as a lifeguard at the Susiegray Moore McConnell Aquatic and Fitness Center in Washington.

    "I am very grateful to SECU for this scholarship," she said. "It will help me get one step closer to reaching my goal of becoming a nurse."

    The scholarships for the BCCC students are two of 116 two-year scholarships - two for each of the 58 community colleges statewide - given by the State Employees' Credit Union Foundation each year.

    The SECU Foundation is the charitable, non-profit arm of the State Employees' Credit Union established to identify and address community issues that are beyond the normal scope of SECU itself. Its mission is to promote local community development primarily through projects in the areas of education, health and human services.

    Foundation projects are initiated through local SECU branch advisory boards and approved by the Foundation Board.

    "The SECU Foundation wants to support projects that help people and this is the perfect choice for our first effort," said Tom King, former chairman of the SECU Foundation Board. King is a former member of the State Board of Community Colleges. The SECU Foundation wants "to help student who fall between the cracks - those who need help to finish school but aren't eligible for other programs."
Pictured above, Wesley Jones, vice president and city executive for the State Employees Credit Union in Washington, center, presents the SECU scholarships to Myriah Jade Mason and Hunter Brickhouse.