This scholarship was established in 2018 in memory of Mr. Hester by his wife, Micha Hester. Hiram K. Hester believed in the strength of small communities. He desired to assist in growing the level of education of the rural community in which he was reared.

To qualify as a recipient for the Hiram K. Hester Endowed Scholarship, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled as a full time student.

• Submit a scholarship application.

• Submit a scholarship application.

• Submit an essay stating why they have chosen the field of study and how the scholarship will help them attain their educational goal.

• Maintain a 2.5 grade point average.

• Continue enrollment for the duration of the scholarship.

Preference will be given to a Bladenboro resident who resides within the area of inclusion of the Bladenboro zip code 28320. If there is no applicant who meets this criteria, then the recipient will be selected from the entire county of Bladen and beyond.

The donor further stated that it is their desire for the recipient to model scholarship, leadership, and service in their own lives and serve as good models for future recipients.