Garner Optimist Abe Wade Scholarships

Enter to Win $1000 Cash

Every year the Garner Optimist Club awards scholarships to deserving high school seniors on their way to pursue their post-secondary degrees.

The members of the Garner Optimist Club are pleased to bestow scholarships to worthy candidates who have accomplished the necessary life and scholastic skills to further pursue their undergraduate studies.

Applications are due by April 1, 2026 to be considered.

Scholarships are presented in honor of Abe Wade, a 1966 Charter member whose dedication and commitment to the Garner community provided the framework by which this honor is granted.

Qualifications and Entry

All candidates must be high school seniors who have an un-weighted GPA of 3.0 or better and have already been accepted to a college or university, starting college in the fall of 2026. Candidates must be full-time residents of Garner ZIP codes: 27529, 27610, 27603.

Candidates are expected to:

• Submit a completed application

• Present their high school grade transcript

• Present their college acceptance letter

• Write a two -paragraph personal statement

• Describe their extracurricular activities, and

• Provide two letters of recommendation. 

Complete the application and return it, along with the recommendations, to the Senior Guidance Counselor by April 1, 2026. Or mail them directly to:

Garner Optimist Club

Attn: Abe Wade Academic Scholarship

4809 Kure Court

Raleigh, N. C. 27603

Applications are due by April 1, 2026 to be considered.

Award Dinner will be in May 4, 2026.

2018 Garner Optimist Club  Scholars

In June we awarded nine $1000 scholarships.
Congratulations to Casey , Taylor , Cameron,  Kiara, Abby, Conner, and Kathryn .
Not pictured: Fahima and Holly.