CaroMont Health Foundation Announces 2022 Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship Winner

GASTONIA, NC— CaroMont Health Foundation today announced that Evan Friday, a senior at Forestview High School in Gastonia, has been awarded the 2022 Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship. Following an extensive application and interview process, Friday was chosen to receive a four-year scholarship, worth up to $20,000 each academic year, for undergraduate studies in a healthcare-related field.

“The Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship is one of the most significant educational contributions of any scholarship provided exclusively to students in Gaston County,” explained Mary Grace Brannon, Director, CaroMont Health Foundation. “Evan’s commitment and dedication to serving others is remarkable. He is passionate about his future as a physical therapist, and the CaroMont Health Foundation is proud to support him in his goal.”

Friday will graduate in May with a 4.0 GPA and the honor of being named Forestview’s Academic Athlete of the Year. In addition to his strong academic record, Friday attended the North Carolina Governor’s School East for Math, is a member of the National Honors Society and Beta Club and served as Vice President of Student Government at Forestview High School. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Friday founded an “Adopt-A-Grandparent” program, partnering his peers with nursing home residents isolated from family and friends. Friday will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall.

“Members of the Scholarship Advisory Board were struck by all of the applicant’s academic records and extracurricular activities,” said Dr. Janet Arthurs, Acting Chair of the CaroMont Health Foundation Scholarship Advisory Board. “Evan stood out to us as a leader, someone who enacts positive change and inspires others in everything he does. He is an exceptional young man with a bright future.”

Friday’s goal to become a physical therapist is driven by his experience of suffering an ACL tear that ended his soccer season. While his inability to participate on the field during his senior year season was devastating, Friday’s experience undergoing physical therapy made the connection between healthcare professionals and the patients they serve personal. He realized then that physical therapy was the career he was passionate about pursuing.

The Wayne F. Shovelin Scholarship is made possible by a generous donation from the Duke Kimbrell family in honor of long-time CaroMont Health CEO, Wayne Shovelin. In addition to the up to $20,000 each year in support for tuition and fees Friday will receive, he will also have the opportunity to participate in three paid summer internships at CaroMont Health. These internships offer Shovelin Scholars the opportunity to learn from healthcare professionals within their specific interest areas and gain early exposure to the wide range of careers available in healthcare.