Monday, October 09, 2006

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Port City Java recently established a scholarship at University of North Carolina Wilmington in memory of Holly Michelle Baughman. An honor student at New Hanover High School, she had been accepted for fall 2004 enrollment at UNCW, but died that August after an automobile accident.

A Carolina Beach resident, she worked at Port City Java's downtown Wilmington store. She graduated from the Lyceum Academy, a rigorous, two-year, interdisciplinary, educational experience for top scholars at New Hanover High. She was a North Carolina Scholar. Her co-workers, friends and family fondly remember her dedication to helping others. She frequently volunteered at local homeless shelters and worked with abused or unwanted animals to find them homes.

"She was truly a special person, and we were fortunate to know her," said Don Reynolds, founder of Port City Java. "The scholarship celebrates her life, her academic achievements, and her commitment to making the world a better place for others."

The Holly Michelle Baughman Celebration Scholarship will be awarded to full-time undergraduate students in any major at UNCW. Applicants must include an essay that describes their volunteer efforts on behalf of the homeless or abandoned and abused animals. Preference will be given to applicants committed to volunteer service with a not-for-profit agency during the time period of the award. In addition, applicants must have graduated from high school with at least a 2.75 grade point average.

Holly's family, Donna, Perry and Andrea Baughman, said the scholarship is very important to them.

Donna said, "Words cannot describe what it has meant to our family to have Port City Java choose to honor Holly's memory with this scholarship. Her education, and helping others, was so very important to her. She was determined to make a difference, and she had a very kind heart. We will forever be proud of her. Don and Denise Reynolds and the entire family at Port City Java will forever hold a special place in our hearts for helping to keep her legacy alive. Thank you for everything you have done for our family."