Vermell Segars Murphy Memorial Scholarship
Vermell Segars Murphy was a dedicated alumna of West Charlotte High School who left behind a remarkable legacy of leadership, character, scholarship, and community service.
Mrs. Murphy embodied resilience and selflessness throughout her life, championing these values while battling scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease. Despite her challenges, she devoted her time to her community as a Girl Scout volunteer, cheerleading coach, and member of both the NAACP and the United Scleroderma Foundation. She was also a respected and long-serving deputy clerk of court in Mecklenburg County.
This scholarship aims to recognize and support students at West Charlotte High School who exemplify the values that Vermell Segars Murphy held dear.
Any African-American female high school senior at West Charlotte High School in Charlotte, North Carolina may apply for this scholarship opportunity.
Scholarship applicants will be evaluated on four primary criteria that Mrs. Murphy embodied and valued: leadership, character, scholarship (minimum 3.5 GPA), and community service. West Charlotte High School may provide additional information as necessary.
To apply, tell us about your leadership, character, scholarship, or community service. In addition, you can optionally upload a letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor, or community leader. This is your chance to provide additional context about your achievements and potential.
Applicants can select one of the following questions to answer for their essay. These questions encourage applicants to reflect on their personal experiences, values, character and aspirations, aligning their stories with the enduring legacy of Mrs. Murphy:
1. Leadership - Describe a time when you stepped into a leadership role to make a positive impact on your school or community. What challenges did you face, and what did you learn about yourself through this experience?
2. Character - Integrity and resilience were defining qualities of Mrs. Murphy. Describe a time when you faced a moral or ethical challenge and had to make a difficult decision. What values guided you, and how did you stay true to your principles?
3. Scholarship - Mrs. Murphy encouraged academic excellence and a passion for learning. Explain how your commitment to your education has helped you grow as a person and achieve your goals. What subject or project are you most passionate about, and how do you hope to use this knowledge to make a difference?
4. Community Service - Mrs. Murphy was deeply committed to serving her community despite her personal challenges. Describe a community service project you were involved in and its impact on you and the people you served. What did you learn about the importance of giving back?
Winners and Finalists
Winning Application
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FAQ
The application deadline is Apr 30, 2026. Winners will be announced on May 22, 2026.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on May 22, 2026. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
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Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.
