In 2026, Community Foundation of Greenville administered eleven scholarship funds and is proud to have awarded these funds to 53 students in accordance with the donor’s wishes. We are excited to announce our 2026 scholarship recipients, whose awards total $311,850!
The diversity of opportunities provided through eleven active scholarship funds reflects the generosity and vision of our donors, whose investments help remove financial barriers and expand access to educational advancement.
Congratulations to the following students!
Alice Watkins Senter’s family established this scholarship in her name to honor her. She was gifted in poetry and music, but her life was shortened by a tragic and incurable illness. The Senter family wanted to celebrate her most productive and happy times by awarding a Wade Hampton High School student, with a love of English, Literature, and Poetry, an opportunity to pursue a degree in higher education.
- Adrienne Nelson, awarded $10,000
Barry and Elaine Nocks established this scholarship fund to provide educational scholarships to first generation college students who reside in Greenville County, SC.
- Andrea Gonzalez-Martinez, awarded $4,000
- Sherlyn Verduzco Hernandez, awarded $4,000
In 1995, the Greenville County Fire Chiefs’ Association established a scholarship fund to promote higher education for firefighters and their spouses or children.
- Elizabeth Chinn, awarded $750
- Walker Craig, awarded $250
- Janelle Fuller, awarded $250
- Sebastian Guerrero, awareded $750
- Mayson Horton, awarded $750
- Evan Majarais Smith, awarded $750
- Isabella Majarais, awarded $250
- Skyler Stamper, awarded $250
Greenville County Library Staff Education Fund in Memory of Anthony Messineo – The purpose of the Greenville Library Staff Education Fund in Memory of Anthony Messineo is to provide financial assistance to Greenville County Library System staff members who are seeking educational advancement through specialized course work, course work leading to a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate job-related field and/or a master’s degree in library and information Science.
- Five staff members received a total of $6,350
Established in 1989 by John I. Smith Charities to provide educational incentives and financial assistance to individuals residing in government-subsidized housing with the goal of helping students achieve self-sufficiency and become contributing citizens of the community through educational attainment.
- Evangelea Blackstone, awarded $6,400
- Sarah Coronado, awarded $6,400
- Avery Livingston, awarded $6,400
- Khloe Smith, awarded $6,400
- Irina Vihodet, awarded $6,400
The Margaret and Jack Paylor Family Scholarship Fund was created to provide financial assistance for higher education attainment to economically disadvantaged students residing in Greenville County and planning to be attending a South Carolina public college/university.
- Temilola Babatunde, awarded $6,500
- Evangelea Blackstone, awarded $6,500
- Logan Bryant, awarded $6,500
- Sarah Coronado, awarded $6,500
- Jaden Dillard-Thompson, awarded $6,500
- Anthony Funes, awarded $6,500
- Natalie Garcia, awarded $6,500
- Maya Green, awarded $6,500
- Destiney Griffin, awarded $6,500
- Ahmad Hemza, awarded $6,500
- Kirsten Holcombe, awarded $6,500
- Zacchaeus Johnson Bohannon, awarded $6,500
- Amarii Jones, awarded $6,500
- Isabella Lopez, awarded $6,500
- Omar Mohamad Irfan, awarded $6,500
- Ashley Moore, awarded $6,500
- Adrienne Nelson, awarded $6,500
- Olivia O’Shields, awarded $6,500
- Neel Patel, awarded $6,500
- Aniah Warren, awarded $6,500
- Marquis Webber, awarded $10,000
- Perun Yanov, awarded $6,500
- Mar’kaiya Young, awarded $6,500
Obermier Scholarship Fund in Memory of John N. Obermier, Edith M. Obermier and Mary Belle Obermier – Mary Belle Obermier established this scholarship with a gift from her estate in 2012. Her intent was to help academically deserving students who need financial assistance to be able to attend college and to give preference to qualified students who are committed to a career in the United States Navy. The preference for naval students is in recognition of the US Navy careers of her deceased husband, John, and his deceased first wife, Edith, who were both veterans of World War II.
- Temilola Babatunde, awarded $1,000
- Andrea Gonzalez-Martinez, awarded $1,000
- Ahmad Hemza, awarded $2,000
- Sierra Hollinsed, awarded $1,000
- Isabella Lopez, awarded $1,000
- Omar Mohamad Irfan, awarded $4,000
- Lila Robertson, awarded $4,000
- Khloe Smith, awarded $1,000
- Irina Vihodet, awarded $3,000
- Aniah Warren, awarded $1,000
- Jaxon Wooten, awarded $5,000
- Mar’kaiya Young, awarded $1,000
The Rama Legacy Scholarship is a higher education fund established by Hasmukh (H.P.) Rama to honor Auro Hotels’ founding brothers, Jayanti (J.P.) Rama, Manhar (M.P.) Rama, and Denu (D.P.) Rama. This scholarship aims to provide educational opportunities to children of Auro Hotels’ associates, continuing the company’s commitment to family and community advancement.
- Noah Ennabili, awarded $5,000
- Willie Kenan, awarded $5,000
- Madyson Rosewarne, awarded $5,000
The Rama Family established the scholarship in 2006 with the purpose of promoting opportunities for higher education for children of members of the Greenville City Fire Department by awarding grants for tuition and required fees.
- Emma Bryant, awarded $1,000
- Logan Bryant, awarded $2,000
- Janelle Fuller, awarded $1,000
- Sebastian Guerrero, awarded $2,000
- Mayson Horton, awarded $1,000
- Evan Majarais Smith, awarded $3,000
Sterling High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund in Memory of Dwight David Huggins – Dwight David Huggins (Class of 1962) contributed to this scholarship with a gift from his estate in 2024. His intent was to assist deserving African American/Black students residing in Greenville County, in need of financial assistance to be able to attend institutions of higher learning while seeking to become lifelong learners and productive, self-sufficient members of our society. The preference for descendants of Sterling High School Alumni and Israel Metropolitan AME church is in recognition of him being a former member of both organizations.
- Temilola Babatunde, awarded $2,500
- Isabella Lopez, awarded $2,500
- Marquis Webber, awarded $2,500
This Scholarship Fund was established to provide financial assistance for higher education attainment to first generation need-based students residing in Greenville County.
- Naomi Anderson, awarded $20,000
The Foundation’s Next Up Fund contributed an additional $20,000 in scholarship support. Four applicants who were not selected to receive other scholarship awards were chosen to receive scholarships of $5,000 each.
The Foundation gives a special thank you to the dedicated volunteer committee members who carefully reviewed the applications to identify students whose academic achievements, personal aspirations, and potential align with the intent and mission of each scholarship fund.