The Southern Virginia Higher Education Foundation (SVHEF) provides a variety of scholarship opportunities for students to continue their education after high school. The SVHEF awards about $60,000.00 annually in scholarships to support careers in nursing, business, information technology, workforce training, and many more. The SVHEF assists with scholarship funds for organizations, businesses, and individuals to sow seeds back into continuing higher education.
In the Spring of 2025, graduating Halifax County High School seniors will have an additional opportunity to fuel their education with the Curtis Randolph McCargo Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to an individual whose attributes resemble Curtis McCargo, a diligent helper in the community and genuinely exhibits overall excellent citizenship.
Curtis McCargo’s daughter, Timonee McCargo, shared that her father was recognized as a reliable and dependable member of the community. He was a jack-of-all trades with the ability to fix anything. Most of all, he was known for his willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone that needed it.
“Everyone knew it wouldn’t hurt to call on Curt,” said Timonee McCargo.
Curtis McCargo was a friend to all and never met a stranger. He had the ability to make anyone and everyone laugh. Timonee shared, her father’s life was lived by the motto, “if you can’t help someone, then the least you can do is not hurt them.”
This scholarship is a way of honoring the joy he cherished in giving back to the community through helping the people around him. As an advocate for following your dreams and furthering your education, this scholarship is a way for him to continue to help his community to alleviate some of the financial strain from educational expenses.
This Summer, Mamie McCargo established the Curtis Randolph McCargo Memorial Scholarship in honor of her brother. For almost a decade, recognizing her brother seemed to be an overwhelming task.
“I kept pushing the project to the side, when it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be,” said Mamie McCargo adding, having a scholarship given in his name is one of the best ways to honor his memory.
“Prior to his death, I was preparing to take my state Praxis for teaching. He knew it was a hard and difficult test to pass. However, he looked at me and told me, ‘You will pass the test and teach someday soon.’ That day officially arrived in 2018. I honor him for encouraging me, and I hope this will inspire students to set goals and pursue their dreams. Hope is alive, even in the darkest hours,” said Mamie McCargo.
With ease, endowments can be established in your name or honor a loved one. The SVHEF staff manage your scholarship for free and there are zero administrative fees. The Southern Virginia Higher Education Foundation staff assist donors to create a legacy through named scholarships. A gift which leaves a lasting impact on education and supports future generations of learners.
“We help you and your family align your wishes to ensure your legacy,” said SVHEF Scholarships and Outreach Coordinator Liza Fulton.
Anyone wishing to make a contribution to this scholarship visit www.svhef.org, click “Give Now” and designate your donation to the Curtis Randolph McCargo Memorial Scholarship Fund. All donations are tax-deductible and a letter of receipt will be mailed in response to your contribution.
For more information about the Curtis Randolph McCargo Memorial Scholarship contact Mrs. Mamie McCargo with an email to mamiemccargo@gmail.com Scholarship applications are available at the Halifax County High School Guidance Office and online at www.svhef.org. For more scholarship information contact SVHEF Scholarship and Outreach Coordinator Liza Fulton by calling 434-572-5448 or email lizafulton@svhef.org.
The Southern Virginia Higher Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is organized and operated exclusively to promote and advance Southern Virginia’s economic potential, viability, and competitiveness by the support and encouragement of the development of high level educational and job skill advancement opportunities within the region for its residents.