2025 Florence Kidder Scholarship Winners

This year, we received 178 applications and thirty-four were chosen to compete statewide by the county committees. Each essay was thoughtful, informative, and a pleasure to read. Selecting just six winners proved to be a challenging task to the committee.

Our essay topic emphasized the preservation of historic buildings and sites by various organizations over time. Applicants were tasked with selecting a historic building or site within or near their county that was established before the 20th century and examining its significance.

The essay was to provide insights into the lives of the people who resided there, notable events that took place, cultural elements of the period, and the preservation efforts associated with the site. Furthermore, applicants were required to demonstrate the importance of historical preservation by including documentation of their research sources, with citations integrated within the essay and a list of works consulted at the conclusion. A minimum of three resources was mandatory for inclusion.

The scholarship was awarded based on merit of the individual essay (75%), scholarship and character (20%), and need (5%).

The first place $3,000 winner this year is Eireann Marcus. Eireann, wrote a thoroughly researched essay on the importance of preserving the Historic Shook-Smathers House located in Clyde, N.C., which remained standing after the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene. She was presented for nomination by the Durham-Orange Committee and will be a 2025 graduate of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and will be attending UNC-Chapel Hill. Read her essay here.

The second place $1000 award goes to Cutler Newman, nominated by the Pamlico Committee. Cutler wrote a well-researched paper about the preservation of Ft. Macon, which his father is the park superintendent.  He attends West Carteret High School and has been accepted to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Read his essay here.

The third place $800 award goes to Emmy Russ, presented by the New Hanover Committee.  Her essay, "The Importance of a Port Town", explored the preservation efforts of Brunswick Town's St. Phillip's Church.  Emmy attends Brunswick County Early College High School and plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill in the fall. Read her essay here.

Kaitlyn Hardy (Lenoir-Pitt Committee) Read her essay here	Clayton Schuler (Buncombe Committee) Read his essay here	Jaxon Self (Mecklenburg Committee) Read his essay here

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