top of page

DWC 2026 Scholarship Winners

Inspired by our students, hopeful for our future.

Presenting the 2026 DWC Scholarship Awards (1).png

Beginning in 2007, the DWC Scholarship has awarded Horry County public high school seniors over $40,000 for outstanding essays. The topics are always current, often provocative, and provide students an opportunity to showcase their understanding of the democratic values we hold dear.

This year we asked students to respond to three questions:

  1. Describe a political issue facing the U.S. today that is of significant concern to you. Why?

  2. How have your personal political values influenced or informed your stance on this issue?

  3. How do you see yourself advocating for this issue in the future?

 

 

Graduation Celebration

Presenting the 2026 DWC Scholarship Winners

The Winning Essays

Thank You to Our 2026 Judges

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

The DWC Scholarship award judges come from within the DWC membership, as well as past recent scholarship recipients.

​

Judges ranked the student essays on the following criteria:

(1) content and narrative, (2) clarity of expression, (3) organization of ideas, and

  • Were concrete examples from their own experiences used?

  • Did the student connect their political values to actions or aspirations?

  • Were complex ideas addressed constructively such as bipartisanship or cynicism about politics?

Reese Palmer-2024 DWC Scholarship recipient, currently a junior at Clemson University studying Elementary Education.

Anna Shull-2023 DWC Scholarship recipient. Currently a senior at University of South Carolina studying Neuroscience and on the pre-med track.

Camila Sonia Flores-2023 DWC Scholarship recipient. Currently a senior at Clemson University Honors College studying Graphic Communication and Branding.

Eileen Coates-DWC member, retired educator.

Pam Heller-DWC member, Advertising writer/producer, former adjunct professor of journalism Ohio State University.

Karen Noll Arnie-DWC member, (retired) Director of Internships, Employer Engagement, and Service Learning Coastal Carolina University.

DWC Scholarship Committee​

The Scholarship committee conducts outreach to Horry County public high schools, shares scholarship information, selects topics and formulates criteria, invites judges, communicates scholarship deadlines and awards to students and on social media.


Judi Gentlemen-Chair
Bev Bitzegaio
Dr. Betty Brown
Patti Kielty

Anna Shull
Penny Sunshine

bottom of page