The city’s Benevolent Awards and Recognition Committee presented two students with $500 scholarships during Tuesday’s council meeting.

The scholarships are for children of city employees who went through an application process.

The students are Kaitlyn May — daughter of Tina and Phillip May — and Alayzia Moody — daughter of Marcia Person and Timothy Moody.

Kaitlyn’s mother works at the police department and Person works in the human resources department.

Krista Rourk of the finance department and B.J. Harris of the fire department presented the scholarships.

Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn is a graduate of Roanoke Rap[ids High School. “If you’ve ever been to any events hosted by the police department then you have certainly seen her and her siblings working right alongside with their parents,” Rourk said.

Kaitlyn earned a weighted 3.67 GPA and ranked 75 in her class. “Her personal references referred to Katie as someone who is optimistic and full of energy. She shows initiative and she has volunteered in many capacities at her church, fundraising events, Angel’s Closet, and summer camp programs.”

Said Rourk: “She shows incredible perseverance. She sets goals for herself and she works hard to obtain them.”

A teacher stated that she has been a positive role model and demonstrates exceptional leadership skills.

In the fall she will attend Nash Community College to obtain a culinary associates degree with a career goal of becoming a chef.

Alayzia

Alayzia is a graduate of Northampton Early College and Rourk said her math teacher describes her as a student that can always be counted on as well as a hard worker, thorough, diligent, well-behaved, an independent thinker and “someone that can be called upon at all times to assist others.”

Rourk said, “When I opened up Alayzia’s transcripts, as a member of the finance department, I noticed something right off the bat — the young lady is a math whiz. She’s taken many honors courses throughout her time at the early college.”

Alayzia earned a weighted GPA of 4.4 and was salutatorian of her class. “Her personal reference described her as a challenge-seeker and an overall well-rounded student. She has maintained her excellent grades all while working at Zaxby’s for the last two years where she was promoted to a certified trainer.”

Alayzia will be attending North Carolina Central University and will major in business administration.

About BARC

BARC is a committee made up of six city staff members and its main purpose “is to take care of our own and we do that through the generous contributions of our city staff,” Rourk told the council.

Contributions are voluntary and employees don’t have to be a contributor to receive benefits. “We make cash benefit payments to staff members during difficult times, such as death of a family member, medical issues, out of town doctor’s appointments and personal hardships.”

BARC also donates to employees for the birth of a new baby and puts on the city’s Christmas luncheon.