The city’s Benevolent Awards and Recognition Committee on Tuesday presented its annual scholarship to Catherine Johnson, the daughter of Finance Director Carmen and Cliff Johnson. The scholarship is awarded to the child of a full-time city employee.
City Purchasing Agent Krista Rourk presented the scholarship to Catherine, a recent graduate of Northeast Academy. “She distinguished herself through both academic excellence and personal character,” she said.
Catherine ranked at the top of her class and maintained a cumulative weighted GPA of 4.2, which included honors and dual-enrollment courses. “Catherine has already completed nearly 30 hours of her college coursework.That’s an accomplishment that speaks volumes about her discipline, her work ethic, and her readiness for the next level.”
But what really sets her apart is her sense of purpose. “In her personal statement, Catherine shared that growing up in a small community opened her eyes to the lack of accessible mental health resources,” Rourk said. “Rather than simply recognizing the problem, she developed a passion to be part of the solution.”
Catherine will be attending N.C. State University and plans to study psychology with the goal of becoming a mental health counselor and providing support to communities like her own. “She desires to create safe spaces for people who may otherwise go without the help they need, turning her education into meaningful action,” Rourk said.
Her teachers describe her as one of the most responsible, independent, and dependable students in this year’s Northeast Academy graduating class — further characterizing her as serious-minded, organized, and quietly dedicated. According to her instructors, “She is known for her strong written communication skills, for creativity, and for her willingness to step up when others need support.”
As editor of the school yearbook, Catherine demonstrated leadership and artistic ability while ensuring the team worked together successfully to meet their goals. “Beyond the classroom, Catherine’s character is reflected in how she cares for others,” Rourk said. “When her grandmother was injured, Catherine took on responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, and shopping.”
Rourk noted that Catherine demonstrated compassion, maturity, and a deep sense of family responsibility through those actions. “She is described as thoughtful, introspective, and guided by strong values with a clear understanding of right and wrong.”
While soft-spoken, Catherine is a "strong and independent thinker who embraces a new challenge as an opportunity," Rourk said. "She approaches her future with both humility and determination. She is ready to grow, learn, and make a difference.”
The $500 scholarship is funded entirely by donations from city employees, staff, and some council members. “I want to make it very clear that there are no city funds involved in this program,” Rourk said. “There are no tax dollars involved in this program.”
