Hilton Head Island, S.C. / June 15, 2023 — Weichert, Realtors® – Coastal Properties has selected the recipients of its second annual Charitable Foundation Scholarship. Lucas O’Nan of Heritage Academy, Audrey Perry of Hilton Head High School, and Bryan Velazquez of Bluffton High School each received a $1,000 scholarship to pursue their post-high school education.
Weichert, Realtors® – Coastal Properties partnered with the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry to create the three $1,000 scholarships. Students who met the scholarship eligibility criteria completed an application and submitted two essays. One essay asked the students to describe their goals and aspirations. The second essay asked them to respond to one of three prompts that challenged them to define what “home” meant to them.
All applications were reviewed by the six-person Scholarship Committee formed by Weichert, Realtors® – Coastal Properties that included team members Karen
Ryan, Roberta Hayes, Tomeca McPherson, Barbara Garrard, Patricia Miller, Nancy Hansen, and Kelly Ryan Wiechert. The committee emphasized that the selection process was not based solely on academic merit, but also on evidence of the students’ drive to achieve and their essay submissions.
“We were absolutely delighted to receive applications from so many outstanding, inspiring, and driven young students here in our Lowcountry area,” said Karen Ryan, co-broker/owner of Weichert, Realtors® – Coastal Properties. “Our three recipients this year – Lucas, Audrey, and Bryan – are each incredibly focused on a successful future. They are each very deserving of a helping hand as they pursue their post-secondary education.”
The Scholarship Committee determined that each of the winning students demonstrated exemplary leadership in their communities and academic success in their schools in the face of many challenges. Committee members were also touched by the students’ stories and by their essays on what “home” means to them.
“We hope these scholarships help Lucas, Audrey, and Bryan further their education and pursue their dreams,” said Ryan. “Thanks to everyone who applied and to the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry for their assistance in this endeavor. We can’t wait to do it again next year.”
Weichert, Realtors® – Coastal Properties is an independently owned and operated Weichert® affiliate with offices in Hilton Head Island, Okatie, Bluffton, and Beaufort, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.
The company is one of the top-three producing affiliates in the Weichert national franchise system and one of the Lowcountry’s premier real estate brokerages. For more information about Weichert, Realtors® – Coastal Properties, contact Kelly Ryan Wiechert at 843-341-3700 or visit https://www.weichertcp.com.
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About Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.: Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. is a top real estate franchisor established in 2001 by Jim Weichert, president, chairman and CEO of Weichert Companies, which has been in operation since 1969. The company provides a clearly defined business model for operating, managing and marketing a real estate brokerage, along with industry-leading technology, marketing tools and coaching. Its first affiliate opened in 2002, and the franchise network has since grown to over 370 offices, serving markets in over 40 states. The company has been named one of the top traditional residential real estate franchises by Entrepreneur magazine for 18 straight years and identified by Franchise Business Review as a top franchise for owner satisfaction seven years in a row. For more information about Weichert, visit Weichert.com or for information on franchise opportunities visit WeichertFranchise.com.
Each Weichert® franchised office is independently owned and operated.
