The Ponzer Ruritan Club, well known for community involvement in assisting those locally who have sustained losses in house fires, storm related issues and financial help with special family needs, has again demonstrated their commitment to challenge students to excel in academics.

Annually, the Ponzer Ruritans reach out to students who are matriculating from high school or continuing their current specific accumulative educational state. Schools in Hyde and eastern Beaufort counties are provided information regarding the scholarship program. Additionally, homeschooled students are included in the opportunity. A Ruritan committee works with the schools’ principals, counselors, teachers and others to receive and review each applicant’s submission. Based not only on grade points, the committee also reviews each student’s involvement in activities in various school/community programs such as their participation in local and regional projects, for example, assisting in clean-up after storms, fires and floods and performing other actions to involve themselves in helping to meet community needs.

There were five applications chosen for consideration in this year’s Scholarship Awards Program for the school year 2017-2018.

• Susanna Van Gyzen, Northside High School, to attend Beaufort County Community College/East Carolina University
• Cruz Eakes, Pungo Christian Academy, to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington
• Mary Baynor, continuation of studies at UNC-Wilmington
• Johannes Van Essendelf, Pungo Christian Academy, to attend Beaufort County Community College/North Carolina State University
• Audrey Glass, Pitt County Community College to North Carolina State University. Glass is a repeat recipient.

The amount of scholarships for 2017-2018 was $2,500, most of which comes from the club’s annual sales of homemade sausage. Sales for this year will begin in November. Please remember that all sausage sales must be pre-ordered. You’re encouraged to contact the club in mid-October to place an order.