News

Winners of new John P. Wold scholarship announced

From left to right: Michael Silvia, Christopher Chavez, John Wold, Ashton Storey, Loany Antunez and Nicodemus Padilla are shown at an event announcing the 2013 John P. Wold scholarships.

By Miranda McFalls, Published: June 11, 2013

Winners of the John P. Wold scholarship received a total of $27,500 in college help and thanked the donor Monday at Carolina Village.

The recipients of the scholarships were Michael Silvia, Christopher Chavez, Ashton Storey, Loany Antunez and Nicodemus Padilla. Silvia received a $7,500 award and the others received $5,000.
Although it's not the first time Wold has given scholarships, it is the first year he has given them to local schools.
"I look at the cost of education and shudder at what these young people have to do to accomplish their goals," he said. "I'm just trying to help give them a start because I know it's a tough road."
To receive the award, students had to demonstrate characteristics suggested by Wold, including hard work, giving their employer 100 percent, setting goals for education, and learning to trust in God.

Michael Silvia, who graduated Friday from Hendersonville High School, plans to go to NC State and wants to become a pilot. He plans to join the Air Force ROTC while in college. Silvia, who would also like to attend the Naval Academy, asked Wold about his experience while in the Merchant Marine Academy.

"You learn about being responsible," Wold responded. "You learn about responsibility, authority and how to conduct yourself in an honorable way."

Another graduate of HHS, Christopher Chavez, plans to attend Blue Ridge Community College and then transfer to a four-year university. He wants to study math and science.

"Right now I'm thinking about going into something along the lines of chemical engineering," Chavez said, "but you never know what the future holds."

Ashton Storey, who just graduated from East Henderson High, will attend BRCC in the fall to study dental hygiene. After college graduation, Storey may attend dental school.

"She's very intelligent and hard working," said Dr. Margaret Barker, senior guidance counselor at EHHS. "I'm very proud of her."

North Henderson High graduate Loany Antunez plans to attend A-B Tech to study nursing.

Nicodemus Padilla, a West Henderson High graduate, will attend BRCC to study welding.