GOLDSBORO — A fourth-grader in Wayne County doesn't have to worry about paying for much of college, thanks to an anonymous donor and her own good grades.

Giovonnii Nelson learned Friday that she will receive a $20,000 scholarship to attend Appalachian State University. The Carver Elementary School student is the winner of the Fall 2021 Freshman Class Scholarship.

An anonymous donor established the annual scholarship in 1993 to encourage cultural diversity at Appalachian State while benefiting students in Wayne and Craven counties.

The winner of the scholarship program is selected based on performance on achievement tests taken at the end of the third grade. Recipients must major in either math or science. The award is renewable if the student maintains at least a 2.5 grade point average.