Skip to main content
Appalachian Today
News and events at Appalachian State University
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the Media
  • Grants
  • Speakers
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the Media
  • Grants
  • Speakers
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

Appalachian awards 11 students Plemmons Scholarships for 2017-2018

By Tanner McGuire
Posted Aug. 2, 2017 at 10:18 a.m.

BOONE, N.C.—Eleven first-year students at Appalachian State University have been awarded Plemmons Leadership Scholarships. Plemmons Scholars have shown outstanding leadership in either their high schools or communities.

The scholarship program was developed in 1994 to honor Dr. William H. Plemmons, Appalachian’s second president. Plemmons was dedicated to providing students with out-of-class experiences that would complement their learning in class. The scholarship program that honors him continues that tradition with a four-year, in-depth program that seeks to create successful leaders. Opportunities for Plemmons Scholars include special classes, seminars, retreats, conferences, outdoor leadership and experiential opportunities and individual needs assessments.

All North Carolina first-year students are eligible. Students interested in being considered for the scholarship should apply for admission to Appalachian by Nov. 15 and complete the scholarship application by then.

2017-18 Plemmons Recipients

The 2017-18 Plemmons recipients are: Laura Buck of Tallahassee, Florida; Sarah Griffin of Raleigh; Connor Hughes of Apex; Ginna Martineau of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Kayla McLaughlin of Charlotte; Kathleen Miller of Winston-Salem; Angelina Nacca of Goldsboro; Avery Pope of Fayetteville; Ana Nieto Ramirez of Matthews; Abigail Sullivan of Gastonia; and Madeline Ward of Matthews.

View larger image

Plemmons Scholar Laura Buck of Tallahassee, Fla., who plans to major in sustainable development. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Laura Buck

Tallahassee, Florida

Buck is a graduate of Lawton Chiles High School, where she spent her free time teaching English to a family of Congolese refugees. She plans to major in sustainable development.

“I always knew I didn’t want to go to a university just to receive a degree. I wanted to go to a university where I would be stretched,” Buck said. “The more I learn about Appalachian, the more I learn I have found the perfect place to receive that kind of education.”

View larger image

Plemmons Scholar Sarah Griffin of Raleigh, who plans to major in psychology. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Sarah Griffin

Raleigh, North Carolina

Griffin is a graduate of Leesville Road High School, where she was involved in marching and symphonic band. She plans to major in psychology.

“This scholarship, along with the caring community of people and beautiful mountains, helped me decide to choose Appalachian,” Griffin said.

View larger image

Plemmons Scholar Connor Hughes of Apex, who plans to major in political science. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Connor Hughes

Apex, North Carolina

Hughes is a graduate of Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy, where he was valedictorian of his class and president of the student government association. He plans to major in political science.

“The opportunities offered at Appalachian are unparalleled,” Hughes said. “The combination of scenery, scholarship and community are unmatched throughout higher education.”

View larger image

Plemmons Scholar Ginna Martineau of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., who plans to major in psychology. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Ginna Martineau

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Martineau is a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and also organized food deliveries to the homeless in her community. She plans to major in psychology.

“I am most excited to meet like-minded students and work with the phenomenal faculty,” Martineau said. “This will lead to a greater, more valuable perspective.”

View larger image

Plemmons Scholar Kayla McLaughlin of Charlotte, who plans to major in environmental science. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Kayla McLaughlin

Charlotte, North Carolina

McLaughlin is a graduate of Lake Norman Charter School, where she founded a women’s self-defense program and was president of the Outdoors Club. She plans to major in environmental science.

“Appalachian has a vibrant and lively environment as well as a friendly atmosphere that I was immediately drawn to – compounded with an amazing environmental science program,” McLaughlin said.

View larger image

Plemmons Scholar Anna Kathleen Miller of Winston-Salem, who plans to major in psychology. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Kathleen Miller

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Miller is a graduate of Mt. Tabor High School, where she was a student-athlete and the head of an a capella group. She plans to major in psychology.

“I felt at home when I came for my tour,” Miller said, “and they have an amazing staff and student body.”

View larger image

Plemmons Scholar Angelina Nacca of Goldsboro, who plans to major in psychology. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Angelina Nacca

Goldsboro, North Carolina

Nacca is a graduate of Wayne School of Engineering where she enjoyed playing soccer. She plans to major in psychology.

“When I first toured App State, the atmosphere of the campus just made me feel at home,” Nacca said. “It is this feeling of belonging in an unfamiliar place that I most look forward to.”

View larger image

Plemmons Scholar Avery Pope of Fayetteville, who plans to major in biology or nursing. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Avery Pope

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Pope is a graduate of Pine Forest High School, where she was senior class president and captain of her volleyball team. She plans to major in biology or nursing.

“I’ve been visiting Boone since the age of 3 and have never met an unkind soul,” Pope said. “I absolutely love the town of Boone and can’t wait to make it my home for the next four years.”

View larger image

Plemmons Scholar Ana Nieto Ramirez of Matthews who plans to major in biology. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Ana Nieto Ramirez

Matthews, North Carolina

Ramirez is a graduate of Weddington High School where she was involved in theatre. She plans to major in biology.

“On my first visit to App State, I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere of the place,” Ramirez said. “I realized then that not only did App State focus on academics but also focused on being a close-knit family/community. I chose to come to Appalachian because I wanted to find a place where everyone would support each other and encourage others.”

View larger image

Plemmons Scholar Abigail Sullivan of Gastonia who plans to major in global studies or political science. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Abigail Sullivan

Gastonia, North Carolina

Sullivan is a graduate of Forestview High School, where she was a member of Beta Club and the National Honor Society. She plans to major in global studies or political science.

“My dream is to become a foreign policy advisor, or even work in the Senate one day,” she said. “I want to change laws that will aid Third World countries.”

View larger image

Plemmons Scholar Madeline Ward of Matthews, who plans to major in communication or journalism. Photo by Riley Hutchinson

Madeline Ward

Matthews, North Carolina

Ward is a graduate of Metrolina Christian Academy, where she found her passion for finding sustainable solutions to global poverty. She plans to major in communication or journalism.

“I chose to attend Appalachian because it shares the passions and values that I have, and a dedication to global awareness and service,” Ward said. “When I came to visit, I fell completely in love with the people, community, location, and I knew it was my home.”

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Scholarships
  • Students

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Scholarships
  • Students

Other Recent Posts

  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted <span style="white-space: nowrap;">April 5</span>
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted April 5
  • Troy Johnson named vice chancellor of enrollment management at App State
    Troy Johnson named vice chancellor of enrollment management at App State
  • From waste to wear: App State alumna develops sustainable pigments for fashion, printing industries
    From waste to wear: App State alumna develops sustainable pigments for fashion, printing industries
  • <span style="color: #bc8801;">Appalachian Outdoorosity:</span> Dressing for the Cold (Part 2)
    Appalachian Outdoorosity: Dressing for the Cold (Part 2)
  • Appalachian Journal marks 50 years of spotlighting Appalachia
    Appalachian Journal marks 50 years of spotlighting Appalachia
  • Honoring women’s leadership and history at App State
    Honoring women’s leadership and history at App State
  • Lumbee tribal flag now hangs in App State’s student union, honoring the Lumbee people and their history
    Lumbee tribal flag now hangs in App State’s student union, honoring the Lumbee people and their history
  • Fact check: Mushrooms share more DNA with humans than plants [faculty featured]
    Fact check: Mushrooms share more DNA with humans than plants [faculty featured]
    USA Today
  • Since 1958, App State's Southern Appalachian plant collection has aided research, teaching and conservation
    Since 1958, App State's Southern Appalachian plant collection has aided research, teaching and conservation
  • <span style="color: #bc8801;">SoundAffect:</span> Daniel E. Dawes, JD on how to overcome deep-rooted challenges in the American health care system
    SoundAffect: Daniel E. Dawes, JD on how to overcome deep-rooted challenges in the American health care system
  • App State Office of Diversity brings monthly read-alouds to lab schools
    App State Office of Diversity brings monthly read-alouds to lab schools
  • 5 award-winning authors to visit App State for spring 2023 Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
    5 award-winning authors to visit App State for spring 2023 Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

The migration of materials from other sites is still incomplete, so if you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Additional feature stories may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • Photo galleries and videos published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found at Appalachian Magazine
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the Media
  • Grants
  • Speakers
  • All Posts
  • Topics
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2023 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
ucomm@appstate.edu

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat