Historical Society Presents 2024 Scholarships

The New Bern Historical Society is pleased to announce the Harriett Marks Scholarship and the John R. & Alice Land Taylor Scholarship for 2024 has been awarded to New Bern High School senior Abigail Gonzalez Zavala. Miss Gonzalez Zavala was selected from among a group of talented and deserving applicants. She is the daughter of Hugo Gonzalez and Norma Zavala.

Abigail has demonstrated consistent academic excellence, achieving the Honor Roll and Principal’s List multiple times. She is an award-winning filmmaker and an internationally recognized writer. Abby is actively involved in various extracurricular activities, including serving as the Chair of the North Carolina Thespian Society, co-founder of the New Bern High School Blog Club, and writer for Oxford University’s Harbingers' Magazine. She will begin her undergraduate studies in theatre, economics, and public policy this fall.

The Marks Scholarship was established in a trust for the estate of Miss Harriett Marks. It was created in 1968 under the terms of the will of Miss Marks as a memorial to the O. Marks family. The Taylor Scholarship, although a separate entity, is designed to complement and supplement the Marks Scholarship. It was created in 2015 and is administered by the North Carolina Community Foundation and sponsored by their grandson to honor the memory of his grandparents. These scholarships are awarded annually based on both scholarship and financial need. The combined funds generated by these scholarships will provide greater financial assistance for the worthy recipient. Both scholarships designate that they be awarded to a senior graduating from New Bern High School and that they contribute to the tuition, board or lodging for the purpose of obtaining higher education at an accredited college, university, or other 

institution of higher learning. They are renewable for three succeeding years if academic standards are maintained.

The Marks and Taylor Scholarships further the Historical Society’s mission “to celebrate and promote New Bern and its heritage through events and education.” Offices are located in the historic Attmore-Oliver House at 511 Broad Street in New Bern. For more information, call 252-638-8558 or go www.NewBernHistorical.org or www.facebook.com/NewBernHistoricalSociety.