Michael A. Bell, son of James and Susan Bell, has been awarded the Tryon Youth Center/Tryon Federal Bank Scholarship in honor of Ray Foster. The Tryon Youth Center Scholarships are $1,000 and awarded in increments of $500 each semester of the student’s freshman year of college.

Bell worked part-time and was involved in several community service projects while a student at Polk County High School. His Eagle Scout project was building a blacksmith studio for Tryon Arts and Crafts, a project on which he worked 1,634 hours.

Bell plans to attend UNC-Wilmington and pursue a degree in marine biology. In his application essay Bell stated, “I want to study fish population to make sure we do not deplete one of our most fragile natural resources.”

– article submitted by Franklin McKaig