WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – NASCAR legend and Hall of Fame Inductee Junior Johnson was at Cape Fear Community College Thursday morning to speak at the annual Gift of Education luncheon.

Johnson's message was simple - it takes money to make a difference for students who struggle to balance the demands of work, school and family.

Hundreds of people attended the event which raises money for student scholarships through the CFCC Foundation.

According to the college, the CFCC Foundation exists solely to support the students, faculty, academic programs and mission of the College.

Over 30,000 students take courses at CFCC each year, and 2/3 of them require financial assistance.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

News release from New Hanover County Schools:

Three New Hanover County Schools students have been awarded the National Merit $2,500 Scholarship by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The scholars were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding finalists in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program.  National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners are the finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. 

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Smart Start of New Hanover County recently received a $21,770 grant to help educate teachers and mentors.

The grant comes from the PNC Foundation for the Stacking Up the Stars: Early Childhood Professional Development Project.  It will give the folks at Smart Start the opportunity to provide community college scholarships through the CFCC Foundation to five early childhood education teachers. The teachers have to work at a childhood center where children get subsidies.

The grant also gives Smart Start the opportunity for more training on its PUZZLES Center staff for infants and toddlers.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.