I just came across this bit of local news. i thought this is a great accomplishment, and thought I would share. Conratulations!
Selma Middle School Student Awarded Victor Bell Jr. Scholarship
Carlas Morataya, a student at Selma Middle School, is one of just ten students across the state to receive the prestigious 2008 Victor E. Bell, Jr. Scholarship. Individual awards are $2000 per year, from middle school through the fourth year of college, up to a maximum of $20,000 per participant. College Foundation, Inc. announced the 10 winners on November 13th. This is the second year the 
scholarships have been awarded to encourage high-potential North Carolina seventh grade students to aspire to a college education. The scholarship is named in honor of the visionary former chairman of the CFI Board of Trustees who served for 30 years and left a strong legacy of service to North Carolina. To receive the maximum total of $20,000 per recipient, the recipient must continue to meet annual renewal criteria. Awards are contributed to an account in the North Carolina 529 plan with the individual recipient named as the beneficiary of the account. Nominations are by invitation only to middle school counselors and principals, as well as selected college readiness/access groups across the state. CFI held a random drawing to choose six recipients from nominations submitted by counselors and principals, with a selection made from each of six regions of North Carolina, currently defined by telephone area code. Three additional recipients were drawn from the nominations received from college readiness/access groups, and another recipient was drawn from the combination of remaining nominees. College Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit corporation serving North Carolina students and families since 1955, administers a portfolio of $3.5 billion in low-interest education loans, the state's college grant programs and the tax-free "529" college savings program on behalf of the State Education Assistance Authority.
