CaroMont Health Foundation Announces 2021 Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship Winner

CaroMont Health Foundation today announced that Sophi Jolley, a senior at Ashbrook High School in Gastonia, has been awarded the 2021 Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship. Following an extensive application and interview process, Jolley was chosen to receive a four-year scholarship, worth up to $20,000 each academic year, for undergraduate studies in a healthcare-related field.

“The Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship is most significant educational contribution of any scholarship provided in Gaston County,” explained Katie Wayne, Director of Development for the CaroMont Health Foundation. “All the applicants are so accomplished and deserving, but Sophi’s passion for caring for others is incredible. She demonstrates the empathy and dedication needed to pursue her dreams of becoming a nurse, and the CaroMont Health Foundation is proud to support her in that journey.”

Jolley will graduate in May as a Certified Nursing Assistant with more than 20 college credit hours earned through the Gaston College Career and College Promise program. In addition to her strong academic record, Jolley is a member of the Mayors Youth Leadership Council and Episcopal Youth Diocese of Western North Carolina. She is a YMCA lifeguard, swim coach and member of the swim team, and also excels in theater, music and dance. Following graduation, Jolley plans to attend the University of South Carolina.

“Members of the Scholarship Advisory Board were struck by Sophi’s academic record, extracurricular activities and her drive to care for others,” said Shelley F. Collins, Chair of the CaroMont Health Foundation Scholarship Advisory Board. “She has proactively sought out opportunities to enrich her experience and serve others. It is that balance of motivation and compassion that demonstrates her great promise as a future nurse.”

Jolley’s desire to become a nurse is also driven by the experience of sustaining a career-ending volleyball injury. While the news was devastating, Jolley saw an opportunity to support other student athletes by volunteering as an Athletic Training Student Aide. Accumulating more than 500 volunteer hours working with Ashbrook’s Athletic Training team, she is now Lead Athletic Training Student Aide at Ashbrook High School.

The Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship is made possible by a generous donation from the Duke Kimbrell family in honor of long-time CaroMont Health CEO, Wayne Shovelin. In addition to the up to $20,000 each year in support for tuition and fees that Jolley will receive, she will also have the opportunity to participate in three paid summer internships at CaroMont Health. These internships offer Shovelin Scholars the opportunity to learn from healthcare professionals within their specific interest areas and gain early exposure to the wide range of careers available in healthcare.

To learn more about the programs and services offered through the CaroMont Health Foundation and how you can help, please visit caromonthealth.org.