2025 Bill Dull Memorial Scholarship Awards

We recently awarded 2 graduating high school seniors with scholarships as they start their higher education journey in STEM programs!

• Emily Daniels, Academic Magnet High School
• Grayson Proctor, West Ashley High School

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Emily Daniels is a graduating Senior from Academic Magnet High School and is going to study Mechanical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

"Lowcountry Engineers Joint Council,
I am honored to write this letter in enthusiastic support of Emily Daniels as she pursues
opportunities in STEM. I have had the privilege of knowing Emily for nearly seven years, first as
her instructor in advanced reading and later as her mentor in STEAM education and robotics.
From the outset, Emily demonstrated exceptional academic ability, analytical thinking, and a
deep commitment to her work—qualities that have only strengthened with time.
Emily has consistently distinguished herself through her technical acumen and leadership. She
has been an integral part of our robotics program for six years, initially as a dedicated participant
in the First Lego League Challenge and later as a key contributor in launching our First Tech
Challenge team. Her ability to absorb knowledge and apply innovative solutions is remarkable,
and her growth in coding and problem-solving has been inspiring. Currently, she serves as the
lead coder, demonstrating not only technical excellence but also a willingness to mentor and
support younger teammates in their own learning journeys.   
Beyond technical expertise, Emily exhibits strong leadership qualities. She has co-captained our
team for multiple seasons, offering strategic direction and fostering teamwork. Her engagement
extends beyond our local program—she has served on the Youth Advisory Council with FIRST
Inspires, advocating for STEM initiatives and encouraging others to pursue engineering. In
recognition of her contributions, Emily was nominated as a Dean’s List candidate, ultimately
representing South Carolina at the World Championships and earning the historic title as the
state's first Dean’s List winner—a reflection of her outstanding work in robotics and STEM
advocacy.
Emily’s passion for engineering and problem-solving makes her an ideal candidate for
sponsorship. Her creativity, determination, and collaborative spirit will undoubtedly serve her
well in any STEM-related field. As a forward-thinking leader, she is poised to make meaningful
contributions to the scientific and technological communities.
I offer my highest recommendation for Emily Daniels as she seeks to further her education and
career in STEM. She possesses the intellect, ambition, and perseverance necessary for success,
and I have no doubt she will continue to excel.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please feel free to contact me for any additional
insights into Emily’s qualifications.

Sincerely,
Michelle Comen
STEAM Teacher and Head Robotics Coach for OG Robotics

Grayson Proctor is a graduating Senior from West Ashley High School and is going to study Mechanical Engineering at the Citadel.

To Whom It May Concern:
I have known Grayson for the past 2 years as his honors physics and AP
Physics teacher. Grayson has always impressed me with his work ethic.
Grayson has a strong sense of responsibility and always follows through.
Grayson is a solid student who consistently meets the basic expectations.
Grayson has challenged himself by taking AP, dual credit and PTLW
(project lead the way) engineering courses throughout his high school
career and has even earned college credit.
Grayson plans to attend the Citadel and major in engineering. He is
extremely motivated and always has a plan to reach his goals. Grayson has
worked in groups in both classes I have taught him and he is a strong group
member. He carries his weight, he encourages others, he is kind and his
peers know they he will do what is needed of him. He has strong
interpersonal skills and is always willing to help others.
Grayson is a great example of a good person. He enjoys life's simpler
moments, especially time spent fishing and hunting. He stays focused on
what matters and avoids getting caught up in things that will distract him
from reaching his goals. Grayson is very deserving of this scholarship and
will use the funds to help achieve his goal of becoming an engineer.

Stacey Ancona
Science Teacher
NHS Advisor
West Ashley High School

Each awardee and their families were presented with their awards by CEJC leadership at the Crowne Plaza Banquet Hall. This group of young people is simply outstanding it’s truly incredible to see all that each awardee has already accomplished. Their achievements give us every reason to feel optimistic about the future of STEM!
This event was a joint collaboration between the Charleston Chapter of NSBE and the Charleston Engineers Joint Council (CEJC). Special thanks to Sedrick Stewart for coordinating the venue; John Peeples, Shawn Gordon, Eva Singleton, Ron Neil, and Ronnie Neil for representing the council at the event; and to the representatives from CEJC’s member organizations for coming out and showing support. We’d also like to extend a special thank-you to Mrs. Dull and Mr. Dull for attending, and to our guest speaker, Col. Linda Riedel, for sharing her insight and inspiring words. Y’all rock!
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Enjoy the slideshow below.