Three Washington County graduates have been awarded a scholarship named in honor of an important former community member.

Tykeera Davenport, Alexis Owens, and Malik Hill have been awarded scholarships in the amount of $500 each. These scholarships are made possible by the Vivian Deloris Norman Scholarship Fund, an organization that, for the fourth year, has awarded scholarships in honor of the late Vivian “Lois” Norman who passed away in January 2009.

 

This year, all three recipients will be attending North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina. Tykeera, the daughter of Marvin and Yvette Davenport plans to study Landscape Architecture. Alexis, the daughter of Denine Webb and Robbie Owens plans to major in Business Management. Malik, grandson of Othello Mann Fitzgerald will study Computer Engineering. .

 

The Vivian Deloris Norman Scholarship Award is based on academic merit and need. It continues to be made possible through the contributions of family and friends who supported the fundraising efforts with donations and those who physically participate in the events which take place each Memorial Day Weekend. “
The Vivian Deloris “Lois” Norman Scholarship Fund was established in loving memory of Vivian Deloris Norman. Its purpose is to financially assist high school graduates from the Washington County School System (one from Creswell High and one from Plymouth High) who wish to pursue their education by attending a four-year college or university.

 

During her lifetime, Vivian focused on making a difference in the lives of others and was always happy to help the young people in the community who wanted to go to school.

 

Vivian was also an athlete. She participated in several sports and excelled in them all. Because of her skills, she was able to relate to so many young people and had many opportunities to speak with them about staying in school.

 

She was the daughter of the late Haywood Norman and Mrs. Othella Norman. She was a 1969 graduate of Washington County Union High School. Except for a short period of time, she lived her life in Washington County. For most of that time, she was employed at Weyerhaeuser in Plymouth, NC.

Gloria Outlaw, Vivian’s sister, discussed more details behind the scholarship in a recent interview with the Scuppernong Reminder.

She explained that her niece Adrienne was the “brain child” behind the scholarship.

 

“She is a counselor in the Suffolk County Schools.  She is also an excellent athlete who played college basketball at Elizabeth City State University.  Her and Vivian had a lot in common and she knew how my sister constantly stayed on the youth in the community to ‘Stop walking the streets,” said Gloria describing Adrienne.

Gloria told how Vivian went to work right after high school and always regretted not going to college.  She constantly told the youth that they could play ball and still be good students.

 

It bothered her when she knew someone with potential that chose not to pursue an education,” said Gloria detailing why Adrienne wanted to start the scholarship.

 

 Gloria told how Vivian was not bothered at all about helping students with school expenses.  Several times, she would pay for SATs, school pictures, prom dresses, whatever a kid needed that she knew their parents could not afford. She did the same for her nieces and nephews and they always knew where to come when they needed something for school.

“Graduation presents for our nieces/nephews were computers, dorm supplies, and she made sure they were ready for college,” Gloria said.

 

 Gloria said that Vivian would hardly ever spend any money on herself, but the kids in our families were blessed by her generosity.

 

 As someone who excelled in every sport, Vivian related to the young people and they always looked up to her.  She played in softball and basketball community leagues right up until she got sick in 2006.

 

 Vivian has one son, Wildred, who lives in Charlotte and has three young children.

“He has all her memorabilia, her trophies and plaques from high school and we put them on display each year when we have our fundraiser, which is an Alumni Basketball Game at her old high school, formerly Washington County Union High School,” said Gloria.

11 students have benefitted so far from the scholarships.

The Vivian Deloris Norman Scholarship Committee consists of:

Adrienne Norman Miller, Chair

 

Wildred Linton Norman

 

Gloria Norman Outlaw

 

Darlene Norman

 

Diann Norman Blount

 

Julius Walker

 

Earnell Purrington