.png)
Hickory High School Alumni Scholarship Fund
Established 2026
Progress Updates
Follow the growth of the Hickory High School Alumni Scholarship Fund as we work toward building a permanent scholarship endowment for future generations of Tornadoes. Quarterly updates highlight our fundraising progress, milestones, and the generosity of our alumni and supporters.
Summer 2026 Progress Update
Reporting through June 30, 2026
.png)
Another Quarter of Incredible Growth
The Hickory High School Alumni Scholarship Fund continued to build exceptional momentum during the second quarter of 2026.
As of June 30, 2026, total contributions have reached $22,370, an increase of $13,563 since March 31—a remarkable 154% increase over our first-quarter total of $8,807.
This growth reflects the enthusiasm of Hickory High alumni and friends who believe in creating lasting educational opportunities for future Tornadoes while honoring members of Hickory's teaching community through namesake scholarships.
Growing Alumni Support
Support continues to expand across multiple graduating classes, with alumni from the Classes of 1951, 1954, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1974, and 1980 already making contributions.
As awareness of the fund continues to grow, we look forward to welcoming even more graduating classes into this shared effort.
Alumni Challenge Campaigns
One of the highlights of the quarter has been the success of our alumni challenge campaigns.
Matching gift challenges organized by the Classes of 1968, 1973, and 1974 have generated excitement, encouraged broader participation, and inspired classmates to work together toward a common goal.
These campaigns demonstrate the power of alumni leadership and provide a model for future fundraising efforts.
Website Launch
Another important milestone during the quarter was the launch of our website.
It has become a central resource where alumni can learn about the scholarship fund, follow our progress, and make secure online donations.
Special thanks to Bridget Hadley for her graphic design contributions and to Hillary Moulliet and Valerie Robertson of The Creative Retailer for their generous assistance with website development.
Looking Ahead
With contributions now approaching our initial fundraising goal of $25,000, we are well positioned to establish the endowed fund and award our first scholarship to a Hickory High School senior in 2027.
With pledged gifts expected, we anticipate reaching the $25,000 milestone by the end of July.
While achieving that milestone will be an exciting accomplishment, it represents only the beginning. Our long-term vision is to build a permanent endowment that will provide scholarships for deserving Hickory High students for generations to come.
Thank You
We are grateful for our continuing partnership with the North Carolina Community Foundation and for the guidance and encouragement of George Kimberly and Jeanne Dairaghi throughout this process.
Most importantly, thank you to every donor, volunteer, and class representative who has helped move this vision forward.
Your generosity and commitment will create opportunities for future Hickory High students while building a legacy that will benefit generations of Tornadoes.
