For many students at Richmond Community College, getting a scholarship is the only way they can afford to attend college.

Tuesday night they had the opportunity to thank the people who made their dreams a reality.

Over 200 scholarship donors and recipients met at the annual RCC Foundation scholarship reception held at the Cole Auditorium. Nearly 100 scholarships are available at a value of over $90,000.

Nursing Assistant II majors Linda Hutton of Marston and Nikki Martinez of Maxton met John and Cherryl Melton of Cheraw.

The Meltons established a scholarship in memory of their daughter, Kimberly, who was killed in an automobile accident. She was a student at RCC.

“Meeting them is like seeing my daughter. They represent her dream coming true. I didn’t know we were the first to establish a scholarship for a certificate program, but I’m glad. We’ve been blessed and just want to give blessings back,” said John Melton.

Cherryl Melton said she wants to see Hutton and Martinez continue their education and sees education as the best route to a better future.

Hutton attended last year’s reception with a friend who was presenting a scholarship.

“I was quite impressed and inspired by these people who had given money and the students who were going to school. My friend suggested I apply for a scholarship and go back to school to finish something I started years ago. He said it would give me something to make me feel good about myself,” said the 60-year-old Hutton.

She tossed and turned all night wrestling with the idea and decided to give it a try. She had started nursing school when she was young, but dropped out, started a family and worked over 20 years with an orthopedic surgeon.

Not only did she get accepted to RCC and receive the scholarship, she made the President’s List with a 4.0 grade point average.

“I absolutely needed that scholarship to come to school and have loved every minute of it. I’m beginning to take the required courses for the associate degree nursing program and hope to be accepted into the next class,” she said.

Meeting the Meltons was a wonderful experience for her.

“It touched my heart how the scholarship came to be. After meeting them and hearing their story, I found them to be inspirational. They are an example of love and devotion to their family, and that will carry on forever. If I ever get into a situation to be able to give something back to the college and help someone else complete a dream, that would be a wonderful thing for me,” she said.

Martinez said she cried when she received the scholarship and wrote them a two-page letter when she received it.

“I was just overwhelmed. I came two semesters ago, but had to quit. I had to support my family. The Meltons helped me get back on my feet and be able to further my education. I, too, want to become a nurse. I’m giving it all I’ve got,” she said.

Scholarship information is available at www.richmondcc.edu under Student Development, Financial Assistance, and Types of Financial Aid. Persons interested in becoming donors may contact Foundation Executive Director Bill Council at 410-1807 or bcouncil@richmondcc.edu.