Reading Time: 14 minutesM eredith’s Class of 2028 includes four recipients of the College’s top scholarship. These students are recipients of the Meredith Full-Ride Merit Scholarship in recognition of their academic achievement, leadership, service, and character.

Recipients are Laycie Eastwood, Hannah Larbi, Gianna Pasquale, and Evelyn Roddy.

Laycie Eastwood, of Farmville, N.C., is a graduate of Farmville Central High School. Her school activities included SGA secretary, membership in the National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, Young Life, and FCA. She was a student-athlete in four sports: softball (two-year captain), volleyball (captain), basketball, and winter track and field. Eastwood plans to major in health, exercise, and sport sciences while working toward her goal of becoming a physical therapist. She has committed to Meredith’s Avenging Angels softball team.

Hannah Larbi, of Amanafrom, Ghana, is a graduate of Holy Child Senior High School whose community involvement has focused on healthcare. She is the co-founder of the Young Educated Students Club, which focuses on empowering young women, and organized fundraisers for the Health Shield Foundation to fight malaria. Larbi spent her gap year working on public health research in support of her career goal of becoming a physician. She is interested in Meredith’s pre-med and public health programs.

Gianna Pasquale, of Apex, N.C., was a homeschooled student who has also completed dual enrollment courses at her local community college. She held leadership positions in multiple clubs for homeschooled students, including the National Homeschool Honor Society, and served as editor and designer for the Association of Roman Catholic Homeschoolers Yearbook Committee. Pasquale is active in her church and community, including serving as a lector at Our Lady of Lourdes and as a freelance journalist for the Diocese of Raleigh. She is interested in a career as a writer or journalist and plans to major in English or communication. 

Evelyn Roddy, of Raleigh, N.C., graduated from Saint Mary’s School where she was a member of the National Honor Society and a field hockey player. She participated in the Saint Mary’s School Young Women’s Leadership Institute and volunteered at the RetailNOW tradeshow and conference. Roddy is a longtime volunteer at local food banks and has served Saint Mary’s as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ambassador and admissions ambassador. She plans to major in business administration at Meredith in preparation for a career in business.