Seniors that received the ROPE Award were also eligible for additional scholarships from the Foundation.
The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation established the Charles Z. Flack, Jr. Community Leadership Award in 2010 in memory of Mr. Charles (Chuck) Z. Flack, Jr. Mr. Flack was a businessman and community leader who dedicated his life to serving others and creating opportunities for individuals to succeed. He believed the primary path to a productive life was through education. He was able to help guide thousands of students on their educational journeys as a member of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors for 16 years and as province commander of his beloved Kappa Alpha Order. Mr. Flack was also a founding member of the Board of Trustees for the Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation. He served on the board for 21 years.
The Charles Z. Flack, Jr. Community Leadership Award is given annually to one ROPE Award recipient from each high school who has demonstrated leadership, community service, organizational skills and vision in his or her school and community. The recipients of the award receive up to $8,000 over four years for their postsecondary education.
The Foundation is pleased to announce that the recipients of the Charles Z. Flack, Jr. Community Leadership Award for 2021 are Gracie Vess from Chase High School, Emma Neal from East Rutherford High School and Connor Settlemyer from RS Central High School.
Ron Paris was a journalist who founded The Daily Courier and spent 30 years as the editor and publisher of the local newspaper. He was dedicated to promoting fairness and objectivity in journalism. He won numerous journalism awards throughout his career. Mr. Paris was also a founding member of the Board of Trustees for the Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation. He served on the board for 19 years.
The Ron Paris Mass Communication Scholarship was established by the Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation in 2008 in memory of Mr. Paris. This scholarship is awarded to one ROPE Award recipient from each high school who has demonstrated an affinity for an area of mass communications. This can include journalism, radio, television, public relations, political science, marketing, international relations, media studies, broadcast technology and global studies.
The 2021 Ron Paris Mass Communication Award was awarded to Jenna Bridges of Chase High School, Ben Hollifield of East Rutherford High School and Brock Byrd of R-S Central High School. Each student will be recognized during senior awards night at their school.
The recipients will receive up to $8,000 over four years for their postsecondary education.