Every year our Chamber receives a donation from the May family to continue the legacy that John Milton and Sue May left on Winterville. The May’s strongly believed in the power of higher education and community support. In their honor, we choose a local high school senior that has shown their dedication to community and is preparing to attend a four-year university in the fall to help them in their monetary needs. We thank the May family for continuing to make this possible!
We are thrilled to introduce Jade Brown, the recipient of this year’s John Milton and Sue May Scholarship. Jade embodies the values set forth by the May family through her extensive work with local youth organizations, church, and school, and stands out as a remarkable young leader in our community.
Jade’s journey is deeply influenced by her mother, the Director of High School Programs at Pitt Community College. “Having my mom at PCC has been such a blessing,” Jade shares. “She has guided me to strive to be the best person I can be and always reminds me to never give up and to be the change I want to see.”
From a young age, Jade’s passion for sports and healthcare set her on a clear path. Her involvement in the BrodyRISE program at East Carolina University’s medical school was a turning point. “BrodyRISE gave me a chance to see so many different healthcare careers, including physical therapy. I knew from then on that physical therapy was exactly what I wanted to do, and I would love to go the sports route.”
Jade’s high school years were marked by her participation in the Pitt County Schools Health Sciences Academy. “HSA has been the most impactful organization I have participated in,” she says. “I was able to do career exploration, get over 250 service hours, and even complete a paid internship all because of HSA. The staff of HSA are some of the most supportive people I have ever come across.”
Her advice to other high school students is to get involved early. “Networking is such an important part of life, and you never know where it will lead you or who you will meet along the way.”
To local business leaders, Jade emphasizes the importance of staying involved with the youth in the community. “Some kids do not know exactly what they want to do after high school, and you never know what kind of impact a local business would have on them. I would just like to thank any local business leader that has had an impact on my journey so far.”
Jade graduated from South Central High School ranked 10th in her class with an impressive 4.47 GPA. This fall, she will begin her studies at North Carolina Central University in Durham, majoring in Kinesiology with a focus on sports medicine. Her ultimate goal is to become a physical therapist.
“I am so excited about starting a new chapter in my life,” Jade expresses. “College is going to open so many doors for me personally, socially, and professionally. I am looking forward to making new connections, forming new relationships, and starting my journey to my dream career.”
Jade Brown is a shining example of the talent and dedication that thrives in our community. We are proud to support her in her educational endeavors and look forward to seeing all that she will achieve. Congratulations, Jade!
