Contributed

A reception was held recently for applicants and recipients of O'Neal's Upper School Scholarships.

Three rising ninth-graders have been chosen to receive four-year scholarships. Mary Winston Dozier, an O'Neal School eighth-grader, has been awarded the Helen Pringle Holmberg Scholarship. Kyle Flechsig, currently attending New Century Middle School in Cameron, has been awarded the Nuzzo Family Foundation Scholarship. Danielle Cormier, an eighth-grader from West Pine Middle School in West End, is the recipient of the Hannah Marie Bradshaw Scholarship.

O'Neal senior and past Nuzzo recipient Emma Craven, and O'Neal senior and past Bradshaw recipient Tommy Miller addressed those in -attendance.

Craven spoke about O'Neal School being a family and how that has positively affected her four years in high school while

Miller spoke about slaying the dragon of college admissions. Both of them talked of how an O'Neal education has made a difference in their lives, from academic success to life skills.

The Nuzzo, Holmberg and Bradshaw Scholars are selected based upon the students' demonstration of scholastic ability, leadership potential and strength of character.

The scholarship process included an extensive application with essays and an -interview with members of O'Neal's Board of Trustees and O'Neal's headmaster, Alan Barr.

Helen Pringle Holmberg

The Helen Pringle Holmberg Scholarship is given in honor of Helen Holmberg, an O'Neal graduate and the school's first John Motley Morehead Scholarship recipient. Holmberg's father, the late Centre W. Holmberg Jr., served as chairman of O'Neal's Board of Trustees.

Current O'Neal students, as well as students from other schools, are considered.

Mary Winston Dozier, -daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Winston Dozier Jr., of Biscoe, becomes the 12th Holmberg Scholar.

Dozier is a member of O'Neal's Junior Beta Club. She plays volleyball, basketball and is the goalie for the Middle School soccer team. Dozier is an active member of her church and reads to children as a volunteer at Troy Elementary School. She has been an O'Neal student for one year.

Nuzzo Family Foundation

The Nuzzo Family Foundation Scholarship is given by Mr. and Mrs. Sal Nuzzo in honor of Father John Nicola, a retired priest who was a beloved Latin teacher at O'Neal.

Students not currently enrolled at O'Neal are considered.

Kyle Flechsig, O'Neal's 11th Nuzzo Scholar, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Brad Flechsig, of Whispering Pines. He has -competed and placed in the regional and state Science Olympiad competitions for the past three years.

Flechsig also has been a team leader for his church's Vacation Bible School. Kyle enjoys -playing lacrosse.

Hannah Marie Bradshaw

The Hannah Marie Bradshaw Scholarship is given in memory of Hannah Marie Bradshaw. Bradshaw spent half of her life as an O'Neal student, and she loved the school as a positive place that helped her reach her true potential.

Students not currently enrolled at O'Neal are considered.

Danielle Cormier, the fifth recipient of the scholarship, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Real Cormier, of Pinehurst.

Cormier has been involved in many school musicals and has performed in several community events for efforts such as The Boys and Girls Clubs, The Humane Society and Junior League. She is the founder of The Chanel Fund, which raises money for dogs with cancer.

Playing the guitar and piano, acting, singing and musical -theater are her hobbies and special interests.

Applications for these -scholarships are accepted at the beginning of each calendar year. They can be obtained by visiting The O'Neal School -website.

An independent, college preparatory school for pre-kindergarten through grade 12, The O'Neal School is dedicated to the development of academic excellence, strength of character and physical well-being of its students.

A national visitation site for the Core Knowledge curriculum, The O'Neal School prides itself on having 100 percent of its graduating seniors receive acceptances to colleges and universities throughout the nation.

The O'Neal School is -currently accepting enrollment -applications for the 2010-2011 school year.

For more information, contact Alice Droppers, director of admissions, at (910) 692-6920 or visit www.ONealSchool.org.