At the beginning of August, Chemours’ Fayetteville Works site was pleased to host an event celebrating its 2023 Future of Chemistry Scholars. Chemours’ Future of Chemistry Scholarship Program in Fayetteville was launched in 2019 in an effort to increase access to STEM education.

Each 2023 recipient below has been awarded a $10,000 grant:

• Riley Nazario, graduate of Massey Hill Classical High School, attending East Carolina University this fall
• Cate DeVane, graduate of NC School of Science & Mathematics, attending NC State this fall 
• Sara Uharriet, graduate of Terry Sanford High School, attending UNC Chapel Hill this fall

Chemours is proud of its presence in Fayetteville and is committed to empowering the next generation, within Chemours and throughout the community, with knowledge, experience, and development opportunities. Since 2019, Fayetteville Works has awarded renewable and one-time Future of Chemistry Scholarships to over 20 local students, representing a collective $400,000 commitment to support their educational endeavors.

One of this year’s scholarship recipients, Sara Uharriet, worked at Chemours as a 2022 summer intern through the Cumberland County Schools ICON Program. “Thanks to my work as an ICON intern, I developed a deep appreciation for the work Chemours is doing in both environmental remediation and the community,” she shared in a press release. “My work in the environmental and wildlife department inspired me to pursue a career in environmental science, and the Chemours scholarship is helping me make that dream a reality.”

The event was held at the Fayetteville Works Employee Recreation Center. Families of scholars joined the event, and members of the Chemours Community Advisory Board were also in attendance. The Community Advisory Board is a diverse group of area leaders who meet every other month and represent the voices of those living near the Fayetteville Works site.

Taneka Williams, Cumberland County Career Pathways Coordinator, is a member of Chemours’ Community Advisory Board and attended the event. “The Future of Chemistry Scholarship program demonstrates Chemours' commitment to the present and future as they empower the STEM workforce of tomorrow to pursue higher education and training,” she remarked in a press release. “By making this commitment, Chemours is expanding access to education, encouraging underrepresented populations to pursue STEM related careers, and ensuring they are viable members of the community.”

The students received certificates recognizing their achievement, and the Fayetteville Works Plant manager Dawn Hughes shared a few words. “These scholarships reflect our commitment to building a more inclusive, talented, and effective future workforce, not only for our company, but for the local industry right here in the place we call home,” Hughes reflected in a press release. “I am inspired by the energy and vision of the future that these young minds bring. It will drive progress and shape our world.”

The Fayetteville Works Future of Chemistry Scholarship is open annually to North Carolina high school seniors (with preference given to Bladen, Robeson, and Cumberland County school students) who are planning to pursue a technical skills/STEM degree at a North Carolina college or university. Applications for 2024 are anticipated to open in December of this year.