Tracey Davis Memorial Scholarship

Hi, my name is Reilly Novchich. Growing up as a military child, I have been moved from place to place for the sake of my father's career, forced to say goodbye to friends and start over, again and again. I have attended nine schools in twelve years, never studying anywhere more than two. My father, an active duty Air Force pilot, has been a source of both great happiness and instability throughout my eighteen years. It has been extremely challenging, but I am also thankful for the unique perspective I have gained by witnessing resilience, adaptability, and service in action. Throughout my life, I have had a front-row seat to my father's leadership and dedication. I have watched as he selflessly devotes himself to the good of his people, giving up time he could spend with his family, friends, and even rest. He sometimes works seven days a week, with 14+ hour days, and it's tough. I miss him, even though he's here, and, sometimes, I just want my dad. It's a sacrifice that he chose, but that our whole family shares. The experiences that he has missed because of deployment, and the time that I've missed spending with him, has shaped my understanding of service and its impacts. Because of these experiences growing up, I have decided that, while I want to serve the people, I am going to do it in a way that allows me to stay more present in my family's lives. That is what has motivated me to pursue a career in Criminal Justice. I will be attending ECU this coming fall, and I intend to major in Criminal Justice with a double minor in Psychology and Forensic Crime Scene Investigation (CSI). I have always been fascinated with piecing together storylines from small, subtle cues, even since I was a little girl. That is why, once I graduate, I have the intention of applying for the police force and becoming a Crime Scene Investigator. I think that I would thrive in this environment, and I, fortunately, have the support of my Uncle Matthew who serves as a police officer, and who I look up to and admire deeply. His support gives me a lot of confidence as I continue on this path in my life, because, as everyone my age knows, it is full of uncertainty. This scholarship will play a significant role in helping me achieve my goals. Financial support would allow me to focus more fully on my education and reduce the need to work extensive hours while in school. With that balance, I'd be able to focus more on my academics, maintain stronger academic performance, and even have more time for extracurriculars that would help me in my future career. I really enjoy school and learning, and when my focus is spread too thin it is noticeable in both my performance and overall well-being. Receiving this scholarship would ease a lot of the financial pressures that college brings on, and allow me to pursue my career and academic goals with greater focus and stability. It would allow me to build the foundation I need to serve others in a meaningful and sustainable way. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing back!

Experiences shape the drive behind people’s career goals, but the inspiration behind my interest in healthcare would be incomplete without mentioning the place I came from as well. I grew up surrounded by natural life on my family’s small blueberry farm, Sister Oaks Farm, in Pikeville. Many summers since have been spent working at the farm, where I would come home covered in dirt and sweat, and satisfied. Those evenings, surrounded by the hum of cicadas and the rhythm of planting and watering, sparked my curiosity about the science of life. This curiosity continues to drive my educational and career goals today. Growing up in a rural area, I became increasingly aware of the health disparities rural communities face. In school, I began to learn about “food deserts”, a term describing communities that lack access to grocery stores and nutritious, fresh food. This was particularly applicable to my town, where Dollar General stores are more abundant than grocery stores. Additionally, limited internet access and healthcare centers in my hometown have impacted the elderly, vulnerable, and low-income populations in my rural community. As I began to realize the public health obstacles that rural areas face, I knew my future career would be helping these communities in some way. My inspiration behind my interest in pursuing a healthcare career is primarily based on the need for more healthcare advocacy and access in rural communities like my own. As I looked for opportunities to explore my interest in science, I was led to the North Carolina School of Science and Math (NCSSM). Being accepted into NCSSM provided me a stepping stone to learn independently, experience new opportunities, and create in a new environment. Leaving my home community was difficult, but this school allowed me to challenge myself academically and has inspired and encouraged me to pursue higher education. The immense opportunities I had at this school also remind me of the impact that additional funding and programs can have. Seeing how I thrived under this new environment has made it clear to me how rural communities can benefit immensely from sustained support and advocacy. This has shaped my desire to return to a rural area after I graduate to advocate for the people who make up the community I call home. By winning this scholarship, I am one step closer to having a platform to advocate for the community that has gotten me to where I am today. As I prepare to attend UNC Chapel Hill next year to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with Honors Carolina, I am eager to gain the experience and knowledge that will help me address gaps in healthcare access in communities like mine. My academic record has prepared me to combine curiosity, service, and empathy in a future career, and this scholarship would support my journey toward that goal.