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]]>Since its inception in 2018, the Pittard Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $1.3 million in college scholarships to 89 students, honoring the legacy of Coach Bob Pittard and his commitment to excellence in academics, athletics, and character.
Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, WakeEd will transition the Pittard Scholarship from a one-year award to an auto-renewing four-year scholarship, providing greater stability and clarity for recipients as they pursue a bachelor’s degree. To remain eligible for renewal, scholars must be enrolled full-time at a four-year baccalaureate-granting institution and remain in good academic standing. Previously, Pittard Scholars were required to reapply annually, and in some years well-qualified renewal applicants were unable to receive continued funding due to scholarship availability.
Current Pittard Scholars who are already enrolled in college will be incorporated into the new four-year structure beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, provided they continue to meet eligibility requirements.
“These students exemplify excellence in the classroom, on the field, and in their communities,” said Keith Poston, President of WakeEd Partnership. “For the first time, Pittard Scholars will have the confidence of knowing their scholarship is there for them year after year. This four-year commitment removes uncertainty, strengthens Coach Pittard’s legacy, and allows students to focus on learning, competing, and thriving in college.”
WakeEd will continue to award at least four new Pittard Scholarships annually, with two new recipients each year from Apex High School and Green Hope High School, ensuring that new classes of students continue to benefit from the program each year.
The Coach Bob Pittard Scholarship Fund was established following a $2.7 million bequest from the late Robert Ray Pittard, a beloved teacher and coach at Apex High School. His vision was to create a lasting impact by supporting student-athletes from Apex and Green Hope high schools as they pursue higher education.
`About WakeEd Partnership
WakeEd Partnership is an independent, nonprofit organization composed of business and community leaders committed to improving public education. Since 1983, the Partnership has advocated for excellent educational opportunities for all students in the Wake County Public School System. For more information, please visit www.wakeed.org.
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• Corinne Isaacs, Green Hope High School
• Mason Dean, Green Hope High School
• Nathan Herrick, Green Hope High School*
• Tyler Herrick, Green Hope High School
• Parva Vyas, Green Hope High School
• Sarah Smith, Green Hope High School
• Jackson Adame-Covey, Green Hope High School
• Andrew Zagacki, Green Hope High School • Brady Rhodes, Apex High School
• Sydney Chappell, Apex High School*
• Omar Ansafri, Apex High School
• Sarah Puertollano, Green Hope High School*
• Cole Yunker, Apex High School*
• Michael Lu, Green Hope High School*
• Kiernan Kovac, Apex High School*
• Adam Quamari, Apex High School
• Lexi McLaughlin, Apex High School*
*Denotes Renewal recipient
“These students exemplify excellence in the classroom, on the field, and in their communities,” said Keith Poston, President of WakeEd Partnership. “We’re proud to support their continued education through this lasting legacy of Coach Pittard. His gift continues to open doors for deserving students who embody his values.”
The Coach Bob Pittard Scholarship Fund was created in 2018 following a $2.7 million bequest from the late Robert Ray Pittard, a beloved Apex High School teacher and coach. His vision was to create a lasting impact by supporting student-athletes from Apex and Green Hope high schools as they pursue higher education. Since its inception, the Pittard Scholarship Fund has awarded $1.32 million in scholarships to 89 students.
This year’s cohort includes seven renewal recipients—outstanding student-athletes from the graduating classes of 2021 through 2024 who reapplied and demonstrated continued academic success. Notably, Nathan Herrick becomes only the second recipient in the program’s history to be awarded the scholarship for all four years of college. This year also marks a milestone: for the first time, a set of siblings have been named Pittard Scholars in the same year.
About WakeEd Partnership
WakeEd Partnership is an independent, nonprofit organization composed of business and community leaders committed to improving public education. Since 1983, the Partnership has advocated for excellent educational opportunities for all students in the Wake County Public School System. For more information, please visit www.wakeed.org.
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I had a wonderful experience at every Wake County Public School I attended, from Kindergarten through High School graduation. My teachers were amazing, administration was supportive, and I was surrounded by many inspiring classmates who became my best friends. At Green Hope High School, I was challenged both academically and athletically. I was a student athlete, playing on the volleyball team for four years. It was an honor to play for Green Hope and the bond I shared with my teammates as we won three state championships was very special. However, for me, being a student always came first. I had some opportunities to play in college, but at 5’1”, the recruiters were not busting down my door! By my junior year, I had also come to the realization that I had more interests “off the court” than on it. Volleyball was fun, but I did not define myself as a volleyball player.
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As a varsity athlete at Green Hope I applied for, and was awarded, the Coach Bob Pittard Scholarship, which is administered by WakeEd Partnership. This not only eased the financial burden on my family, but it allowed me to focus on my studies and really immerse myself in the college experience during my first year at UNC – Chapel Hill. As a freshman, I joined a number of organizations, including Carolina for the Kids, Carolina Women in Business, and my sorority, Phi Mu, where I currently serve as the 2020 Athletic Chair. Some of my favorite moments at school were the afternoons I spent volunteering at the Carolina Campus Community Garden, which provides fresh produce for low-income staff on campus. I had never done any gardening before, but quickly learned how to prepare planting beds, properly pick produce, and my personal favorite, pull weeds. I loved getting to see first-hand the difference we were able to make for the Carolina community.
As you can tell, I have a strong interest in volunteering and in the valuable work done by nonprofit organizations. It began when I was selected to attend the NC Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference following my sophomore year in high school. During my junior year, I started Falcon’s Give Back, an organization that raised money and goods for local and national charities. I jumped into the administrative side of the nonprofit world immediately after graduation, shadowing the WakeEd Partnership team for the summer to learn about nonprofit management, programs, marketing, and fundraising. During this internship, I was introduced to the owner of A Place at the Table, Maggie Kane.
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This summer, I will be interning remotely for A Place at the Table, a nonprofit, “pay what you can” restaurant where customers can pay a suggested price, part of the price, or volunteer in the restaurant to receive a free meal. Since 2018, it has created a wonderful sense of community in Downtown Raleigh, even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a Pre-Business Administration major, I was looking for a summer internship that would not only give me real-world business experience, but also a first-hand look at the critical work nonprofit organizations are doing to serve our community.
This summer, I am excited to be working alongside the fundraising committee for A Place at the Table, gathering, organizing, and analyzing data related to restaurant donations. I am hoping to gain a greater understanding of nonprofit finances, especially in these challenging and unprecedented times, and greater insight into the unique challenges that nonprofits face every day. I also hope that my work will help A Place at the Table continue their valuable mission.
To the Class of 2020
There is so much I would like to say to the Class of 2020, and I will start by complimenting you on the extraordinary grace you have shown through the COVID-19 pandemic. You were taken out of school, just when the fun part was about to begin, and I am so proud of the way that you have dealt with this unimaginable situation. I hope your post-graduation plans, whatever they may be, are everything you have dreamt of and more.
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My advice to you is to work hard and fully commit yourself to whatever you do. Remember that all of the people you meet along the way, the people who help mold and shape you, are an invaluable resource. You never know when the connections you make in a club, with a professor, a mentor, or even a friend will provide you with an opportunity that could change your life, and your community, for the better.
Commitment and connections have fueled my journey from student athlete, to Pittard Scholar, to Wake County graduate, and now, nonprofit intern. I would not be where I am today without the teachers, mentors, and friends I have made throughout my journey. I am grateful to WakeEd Partnership, Coach Bob Pittard, the Wake County Public School System, and UNC for helping me along the way!
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What I’ve learned is that there are a multitude of opportunities out there for you to make a difference. Find an area that interests you, jump in, and make connections. You can make valuable contributions to your community while you learn in the process.
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]]>WakeEd announced the 2017-2018 winners of the Coach Bob Pittard Scholarship! Read our press release.
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RALEIGH, N.C. — WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd), a business-backed nonprofit organization committed to improving public education in the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), has announced the first class of Coach Bob Pittard Scholars. The following eleven students from Apex High School and Green Hope High School have been selected to each receive a $12,500 college scholarship:
• Kevin Conroy, Apex High School
• Anna Jackson, Apex High School
• Morgan Johnson, Apex High School
• Pascal Le, Apex High School
• Ares Epps, Green Hope High School
• Brittney Ford, Green Hope High School
• Catherine Holbrook, Green Hope High School
• Matthew Kehn, Green Hope High School
• Ryan Kemper, Green Hope High School
• Lucas Laszacs, Green Hope High School
• Rebecca Ssengonzi, Green Hope High School
Robert “Bobby” Ray Pittard was a graduate of Apex High School and NC State University. In addition to being a lifelong farmer in the Carpenter community, he returned to Apex High School as a science and math teacher and a basketball coach until his retirement in 1976.
When he passed away in November 2016, Mr. Pittard left in his will the financial capability and direction to establish a sustainable scholarship fund for student athletes at Apex High School and Green Hope High School. He entrusted WakeEd Partnership with $2.7 million from his estate to establish and facilitate this scholarship program.
“Coach Pittard obviously thought of others before himself,” says Carol Allen, Program Coordinator for WakeEd Partnership. “His passion was to help young people and make the world a better place by allowing them to go to college.”
“We are excited and humbled to be able to honor these students on behalf of Mr. Pittard,” says Steve Parrott, President of WakeEd. “It is thanks to Mr. Pittard’s incredible gift that deserving students in our community will be able to achieve their dreams of a higher education where it might not have been possible before.”
About WakeEd Partnership
WakeEd Partnership is an independent, nonprofit organization composed of business and community leaders committed to improving public education. Since 1983, the Partnership has advocated for excellent educational opportunities for all students in the Wake County Public School System. For more information, please visit www.wakeed.org.
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(Left to Right) Rebecca Ssengonzi, Lucas Laszacs, Ryan Kemper, Matthew Kehn, Catherine Holbrook, Brittney Ford, Ares Epps at Green Hope High School
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(Left to Right) Pascal Le, Morgan Johnson, Kevin Conroy, Anna Jackson with WakeEd Board Chair Scot McAlexander and WakeEd Program Coordinator Carol Allen at Apex High School
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(3:24) Eleven students from the Wake County Public School System were honored last week as the first recipients of the Coach Bob Pittard Scholarship, a fund established by a former WCPSS coach and educator Bob Pittard.
Learn more about Mr. Pittard\’s legacy.
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