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Though Jacob Council did not know Jennifer Beach, he could see the impact the late Washington High School guidance counselor made on the lives of people around him; therefore, he set out a goal to create a scholarship in her memory. 

To do this, the rising senior at Washington High School held a cornhole tournament at Pitt Street Brewing Co. On the Pamlico on Saturday, July 27. As of this week, the scholarship is worth $2,905 thanks to donations from businesses and the tournament. Twelve teams competed that afternoon, and “The Warehouse” team were the victors. 

In an email to the Daily News, Council wrote that he would like to host more cornhole tournaments to collect as much money as possible to impact as many high school students as possible. 

“I am going to try and do more cornhole tournaments so I can gather as much money as possible for the scholarship and potentially impact more students than I previously expected.  I am excited because I didn’t anticipate  I would have earned this much. This just shows how much she was loved in our community,” Council wrote. 

The scholarship is available to anyone who has plans to further their education. Council is currently writing guidelines for the scholarship’s use. At this time, an application and essay are required. Beach’s family and friends have agreed to read the essays and select the recipient(s). 

The recipient(s) of this scholarship will be named at the end of the academic year. “My hope is they can be recognized at the Washington High School ceremony that recognizes all students who receive scholarships,” Council added. 

“It started out that I would do this and would help one student but now I’m aiming higher. I’m hoping to keep raising more to help multiple students with their journey to college. I already have someone planning to take this endeavor over when I head to college. I want her legacy to live on at WHS  so I’m hoping this will help with that,” he continued.” 

Council explained that in addition to helping students achieve their dreams of higher education, he created the scholarship to honor Beach’s commitment to Washington High School students and staff. 

“The staff and students that had the privilege to know Mrs. Beach know that she put her heart and soul into her work and students. I want something to keep her spirit alive and to represent all the great things she has accomplished, and all of the students she has touched over the years,” he wrote. 

Jennifer Purvis Beach died on July 2, 2023 after battling triple negative breast cancer for two years. Beach retired from the North Carolina School System in July of 2021 after 30 years of service.