Three students from local counties have been named finalists for the Morehead-Cain Scholarship, a four-year, fully funded merit-based scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The students will advance to the final selection round, which takes place in Chapel Hill this March.
Rachel Noble, a student at South Lenoir High School, was recognized for her achievement in a social media announcement by the school. “Congratulations to our Blue Devil, Rachel Noble, for being named a finalist for the Morehead-Cain Scholarship! She will travel to Chapel Hill in March for the final round of this highly selective scholarship process,” the school posted.
Patrick Greene, the father of Rylee Greene, shared his pride in his daughter’s accomplishment on social media. “Rylee Greene found out today that she is a finalist for the Morehead-Cain Scholarship! Erika Greene and I could not be more proud. On to the final selection at UNC in March,” Greene wrote.
The third finalist, Susannah Swindell, was highlighted by her father, Frank G. Swindell Jr., in a post recognizing her academic and extracurricular achievements. “Congratulations to our daughter, Susannah Swindell, who is a finalist for the Morehead-Cain scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill. She has always been a Tarheel. Her hard work in academics, passion for changing people’s lives with Project Please Stay, and excellence in tennis makes her family very proud,” Swindell shared.
The Morehead-Cain Scholarship, established in 1945, was the first merit-based scholarship program in the United States. It provides recipients with full financial support for four years of undergraduate study, covering tuition, fees, housing, meals, and more. Additionally, scholars participate in a fully funded summer enrichment program that includes experiences in outdoor leadership, public service, global engagement, and professional development.
Finalists for the scholarship are selected based on leadership, academic excellence, moral character, and physical vigor. The program is known for its competitive selection process, which includes a series of essays, recommendations, and interviews…