Local students win scholarship honoring students killed in drunk driving accident
Candice Benbow, a senior at Parkland High School, and Megan Manuel, a senior at Glenn High School, were selected for the Maia Witzl and Julie Hansen Chi Omega Scholarship.
The Chi Omega sorority at Wake Forest University created the scholarship in honor of Maia Witzl and Julie Hansen, sorority sisters who were killed in 1996 in Winston-Salem when the car they were riding in was hit by a drunk driver. Shortly after the accident, Wake Forest students led a successful campaign to change North Carolina’s drunk driving laws.
Benbow and Manuel will each receive $2,000 to be used toward their college education.
Benbow, the daughter of Debra L. Benbow, will attend Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn. Her activities have included playing varsity soccer and writing for her school newspaper and the Winston-Salem Journal’s teen page. She has also served as student body president and participated in Students Against Drunk Driving. Benbow also serves on the superintendent’s student advisory council for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools.
Manuel, the daughter of Les and Robin Manuel, will attend the University of North Carolina at Asheville.
Her activities include serving as vice president of the Anchor Club, the International Thespian Society and the drama club. Manuel is also a member of the National Honor Society and the student leadership committee. She also has volunteered for four years at Human Service Alliance respite care program.
This marks the second year of the scholarship program, which awards two high school seniors money to be used toward their continued education at any college, university, community college or technical school. Recipients must reflect the ideals of Witzl and Hansen and be enrolled in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system.
The Wake Forest Chi Omega chapter raises money for the scholarship fund and assists with candidate interviews. The scholarship’s administration and application process is handled by Safe Sober Prom Night, a local non-profit organization.
Categories: Community Impact, University Announcements
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