While a student at Trask, Heather was a member of the National Honor Society and involved in numerous community service activities and projects. Her voluntary services include Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for 3 years.  Additionally, Heather has been an active volunteer with Burgaw Dixie Youth devoting countless hours over the past few years in the concession stand, ball tournaments, clean-up days at the park, and numerous other fundraisers, including the 2009 Turkey shoot.  For 2 years Heather volunteered with Cape Fear Optimist Ladies Auxiliary’s annual quarter auction.  Other beneficiaries of heather’s time and talent include Burgaw Migrant Center Clothes Closet, Huntington Health Care, Trask High School campus cleanup and beautification, and the Latino Festival. Heather stated in her essay “In serving my community, I learned that success in life can only be achieved through time, hard work and devotion. While I may not have received a reward for my efforts, simply serving my community has been rewarding enough.”

Alexandra Lyons has graduated from Pender Early College High School with a College Prep and Honors High School diploma and an associate of Science Degree in four years.  Alexandra won numerous academic awards, served on Wilmington Health Access for Teens Youth Council for 3 years, served as Student Government Treasurer, served on the Diocesan Youth Board for Diocese of  Raleigh 3 years, and participated in mission trips during the summers of 2007 and 2008. Alexandra served as a math tutor for two years, volunteered at a church tree lot in December four years, planned and coordinated numerous church events, and volunteered at  Fort Fisher Aquarium. Her career development activities include employment at  Bumblebee Market for 2 years, caregiver at church for 2 years, intern at Carolina physical therapy , participant in math camp, pharmacy camp, and church camps. Alexandra wrote in her essay “I have learned several skills that have enhanced my every day life …patience, commitment, dedication, and the importance of listening.”

Alexandra plans to attend Appalachian State University to double major in exercise science: pre-professional and biology with a minor in psychology.

As a Pender High School senior, Tiffany was a Dual Enrollment student at Cape Fear Community College taking online classes and night courses while working on average 20 hours per week a t Empire Deli and Bagel, yet still maintaining excellent high school and college grades. Her service projects include participation in food drives, Operation Christmas Child, participation in Pender Memorial’s Heart Walk, tutoring, and church youth group activities that include leading the children’s ministry on Sunday.  Tiffany  participated on volleyball and track teams and was enrolled in an internship in which she assisted with 2008 voting and helped update the town’s homepage website.
Tiffany stated in her essay “being able to work with a group of people to achieve a goal that benefits the community has been a rewarding experience. I feel that the time I have spent giving back to others will benefit me as I move forward to the next phase of my life.”

Tiffany plans to attend Cape Fear Community College, apply for the nursing program, transfer to receive bachelor’s degree in nursing and then begin the 28 month nurse anesthesia program.