Leroy Ripper Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the family and friends of Leroy Ripper to honor his many contributions to Cherokee and Clay Counties. Mr. Ripper was a native of Ridgewood, New Jersey, who made his home in Cherokee County for 30 years, working for Owenby Manufacturing, and then founding Peachtree Industries. He was a member of the Andrews Lions Club, president of the Cherokee-Clay Counties United Way, and a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Mr. Ripper also contributed to his community as founder and president of the Peachtree Volunteer Fire Department, and through service to the boards of Good Shepherd, IOI (Industrial Opportunities, Inc.) and the Brasstown Concert Association. Before he passed away, Mr. Ripper directed the establishment of this scholarship to support students in Cherokee and Clay Counties, and to inspire them to lives of commitment to their community, leadership and service.

Amount

One-time $1,000

Number Of Awards

One Award

Deadline

Jan. 22, 2024

Eligibility

The Leroy Ripper Scholarship Fund provides scholarship awards to graduating public high school seniors whose primary residence is in Cherokee County or in Clay County. Those who attend the NC School of Science and Mathematics, the UNC School of the Arts High School, Tri-County Early College High School, or a home school registered with the NC Department of Non-Public Education are also eligible, as long as they are legal residents of one of the two counties mentioned above. Recipients must plan to attend an accredited U.S. college, university, community college, or vocational school full-time.

CFWNC ensures that all scholarship recipients are selected on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis and that selections are based on specific guidelines and criteria for each fund.

Selection Criteria

Scholarship is available to a graduating senior whose primary residence is in Cherokee or Clay County, and who demonstrates the following:

  • academic promise (measured by class rank, GPA, SAT scores);
  • participation in community service
  • leadership skills
  • good character.

Applicants need not be top of the class, but rather show academic promise, a commitment to community service, and possess leadership skills. Preference will be given to those with demonstrated financial need.

To Apply

To apply, students must complete an application online. The application, with required attachments, must be submitted online on or before the deadline. Click here to apply online.

Application Procedure

The scholarship program is administered by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. Please direct any questions about this scholarship to the Foundation's Scholarship Officer, Lezette Parks, at parks@cfwnc.org.

Return to Scholarship Directory