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A gift that will provide more than $1 million from the late
Norman Cheek and his family to the Appalachian State University
Foundation has established a scholarship fund that will be awarded
to three high school seniors, one each from Watauga, Ashe and
Caldwell counties who enroll as freshmen at Appalachian State
University.
Norman Cheek |
Recipients of the Norman Cheek Memorial Scholarship must have
been involved in Project Graduation at their local high school.
The first scholarships were awarded to Kendra Powers of Ashe
County, Jacqueline Leigh Smith of Caldwell County and Amanda
Nichole Kato of Watauga County.
Each will receive a $3,000 scholarship a year for four years
as long as they remain enrolled at Appalachian.
Cheek was owner of the Toyota franchise in Boone for nearly
30 years.
Known as “The Little Dealer with the Big Heart,” Cheek
began sponsoring Project Graduation in Watauga, Ashe and Caldwell
counties 21 years ago after three teenagers were killed on their
graduation night.
Cheek raised more than $500,000, raffled off 20 vehicles and
helped keep countless students in Watauga, Ashe and Caldwell
counties safe while they participated in the drug- and alcohol-free
event.
Recipients of the scholarship will be asked to volunteer with
Project Graduation while they are in college. Future scholarship
applicants will write an essay describing the importance of
Project Graduation to themselves and their community.
“Norman Cheek was a personal friend of mine, and he was
a great advocate of the area’s high school students and
their educational pursuits.
“He was very committed to them,” said Appalachian’s
Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock. “These scholarships are
a meaningful way to honor his memory while supporting deserving
students.”
Cheek, who served in the military from 1958-64, was a well-known
philanthropist in the area.
He supported members of the 1450th and 1451st National Guard
transportation companies, as well as those who served in the
Vietnam, Gulf and Iraq wars.
He also provided disaster relief aid following Hurricane Katrina,
and supported Christmas for Kids and Toys for Tots programs.
He also supported construction of an auto technology building
at Mayland Community College and the sports facilities at Watauga
High School.
“We are very proud to be able to continue my father’s
work in the causes and activities he believed in,” said
Cheek’s daughter, Donna Bare.
“We hope that many students to come will benefit from these
scholarships.”
For information on ways to contribute to the Norman Cheek Memorial
Scholarship, call 828-262-4023.
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