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Delaware Students Awarded Full-ride Merit Scholarships

Department of Education | News | Date Posted: Thursday, April 28, 2022

Congratulations to this year’s merit scholarship awardees! Merit scholarships are competitive scholarships awarded by DDOE to students for their academic performance, participation in school activities and service to the community.

Students may apply for Delaware merit scholarships in their senior year of high school. All four awards are renewable. Three of the programs are memorial scholarships that honor state legislators and provide full tuition, fees, room, board, and books at the public colleges in Delaware.

Ashley Cooke of Appoquinimink High School in the Appoquinimink School District has received the B. Bradford Barnes Memorial Scholarship, which is given in honor of the former Speaker of the State House of Representatives. This scholarship is awarded to one student each year enrolling full-time at the University of Delaware. Cooke will major in biomedical nursing.

Cierra Holmes of Seaford High School in the Seaford School District received the Herman M. Holloway, Sr. Memorial Scholarship, which honors the first African-American State Senator in Delaware. This scholarship is awarded to one student each year enrolling full-time at Delaware State University. Holmes will major in nursing.

The Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship, in honor of the former Speaker of the State House of Representatives, is awarded annually to one full-time student at the University of Delaware and one full-time student at Delaware State University who are majoring in the humanities or social sciences. (Preference is given to political science majors.) Margaret Livingstone of Middletown High School in the Appoquinimink School District is the recipient of the Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship at University of Delaware. She will major in political science. Jasmine Gray of POLYTECH High School in the POLYTECH School District is the recipient at Delaware State University. She will major in psychology.

Picture of Ashley Cooke, Appoquinimink High School

I was so excited when I received the notification for earning this award, and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity! In the fall, I will be attending the University of Delaware as a part of the Honors program while majoring in nursing. I love helping others and giving back to my community, which is why I believe nursing will be a great fit for me. This scholarship will be a major help for my family and I in covering the many costs of college, and I cannot wait to see what U of D has to offer! – Ashley Cook, Appoquinimink High School

Picture of Sierra Holmes, Seaford High School

Earning this scholarship is truly an honor and blessing. This scholarship means a lot to me because it will allow me to achieve my educational goals without having to worry about covering the costs of my education, and for that I am thankful. It is also meaningful to me because I’ve worked hard in my school and community, and earning this scholarship is a result of that.

I am planning to pursue a degree in nursing. I chose nursing because of my interest in healthcare and my desire to help others. I would like to work in underserved areas to be able to make a difference in others’ lives by providing healthcare to those in need. – Cierra Holmes, Seaford High School

Picture of Jasmine Gray, POLYTECH High School

Receiving this scholarship enables me to pursue my dream to attend a post-secondary school, as well gives me the confidence to succeed academically. I plan to major in psychology with a concentration in pre-med, with plans to pursue a career as a physician assistant. The reason behind a psychology major is the versatility the major offers, and the abundant career opportunities available to assist and aid individuals, in an often underestimated field of study. – Jasmine Gray, POLYTECH High School

Picture of Margaret Livingstone, Middletown High School

Words cannot describe how honored I am to have been awarded the Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship. I intend to use this award to major in Political Science with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Delaware, so that one day I can become an attorney in the area of family law. I cannot wait to further my education at the collegiate level, and cannot thank the Delaware Department of Education enough for their generosity. – Margaret Livingstone, Middletown High School

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006