THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606070149
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 37 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF HAMPTON, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: 78 lines
DAVID JERNIGAN'S mother knew that if the letter from the Morehead Award selection board was thick, then the news was good.
Jernigan was a finalist for the full-ride scholarship. The more paperwork in the envelope, the better.
She retrieved the letter from the post office one day in March and took it to Northeastern High School immediately. David's counselors, who had worked with him to get this scholarship for nearly a year, all gathered in the office.
Jernigan entered the room, looked at all the anxious faces and simply said, ``Uh oh.''
He turned to his mother, who said, ``It's thick!''
They hugged and kissed and there were tears. David was the first student from Northeasthern High School to receive the coveted Morehead Award since Patton McDowell got it 11 years ago. Connie Sawyer III from Camden also received the award this year.
The $44,500 scholarship means an all-expenses-paid trip through four years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, including summer internships.
Jernigan had to get that scholarship, or he would not achieve his longtime dream of attending UNC. ``We couldn't have done it financially,'' said his mother.
The scholarship requires excellence in four areas: scholarship, physical vigor, character and leadership. The UNC scholarship board chooses 50 from 900 applicants.
Jernigan began his quest against nine others in Pasquotank County. He won the region and became one of 125 finalists. At every level, he faced extensive interviews in front of selection boards.
Jernigan exceeded the requirements, but so do most candidates for the award. He attributes his success to one thing: ``God.''
His personality may have placed him above the others. While he conversed recently in the high school lobby, several of his peers made it a point to speak to him. Popularity, thy name is David.
``He is so genuine and likable,'' said Martha Goodman, a counselor at NHS.
Not that his list of achievements aren't long and impressive:
Valedictorian of his class.
Recipient of the Cooper-McClease award, an honor given by the faculty to the best-all-around boy and girl student.
President of the senior class.
President of the Future Business Leaders of America.
President and founder of Project TALK, a student organization in which Jernigan and other teenagers spoke to elementary school children about avoiding drugs and doing well in school.
Member of the National Honor Society. He finishes school with a 4.23 grade point average, above the perfect 4.0 because honor courses carry extra weight in the grading scale.
Member of the jazz band.
Member of the cross country team.
Jernigan gives much of the credit for his outstanding resume to his parents, James and Kathy Jernigan.
``They played a big part in the development of my character,'' Jernigan said recently during a break from classes. ``They've supported me all the way.''
While most students need a push from Mom and Dad to do their homework, it is the opposite for Jernigan.
``Sometimes,'' he said, ``they had to tell me to stop doing my homework.''
Jernigan plans to major in business management. He has no specific career goals yet.
``I do know I want to get into management,'' he said. ``I like leadership kinds of things.''
Jernigan said he wants no part of politics, except at the local level, such as the school board. But it was state political leaders who inspired Jernigan when he visited Raleigh during middle school.
``I learned there that if I'm going to be successful, I've really got to work hard at this,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: David Jernigan is the first student from the school to
receive the coveted prize since Patton McDowell got it 11 years ago.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB