Thanks to the extraordinary support of donors, the Falconer Foundation has been able to bestow $50,000 to date in scholarships to some very deserving young people in our community. Meet our recipients!
2026 Award: Ryan Laska
Meet Ryan Laska, a graduate of Mooresville High School and National Honor Society member. Ryan is currently attending North Carolina State University majoring in Music Technology. “The degree at NCSU combines two things I love: music and computer programming. I plan to major under the electronics and circuits concentration to eventually become a studio engineer or producer. I want to create art for others to enjoy.”
Read More about it! Official Press Release
Articles: Iredell Free News
L-R: Dennis Cowardin, Falconer Foundation Chair, Ryan Laska, Cortney Frasier, Falconer Foundation Director
2025 Award: Gowri Nair
L-R: Cortney Frasier, Falconer Foundation Director, Gowri Nair, Dennis Cowardin, Falconer Foundation Chair
Meet Gowri Nair, a graduate of Lake Norman High School in Mooresville, who is currently attending Savannah College of Art & Design.
Gowri marked the fourth consecutive $10,000 recipient of the Falconer Foundation scholarship.
“I aspire to build a career that leverages my strengths in creative thinking and craftsmanship; I am appreciative of the opportunity that the Falconer Foundation has provided in assisting me achieve my goals.”
Read More about it! Official Press Release
2024 Award: Lauren Hoyle
Meet Lauren Hoyle, a graduate of Crossroads Arts and Science Early College in Statesville, who is currently attending UNC Chapel Hill. "I couldn't be more grateful for the experiences and people who have led me to further my art, it really is my passion, and I couldn't imagine life without art and creativity. I hope to then serve others around me by inspiring them and engaging in community artistic culture. I want to further my community engagement in art and to be able to thrive with others who are also passionate about art and creativity."
L-R: Cortney Frasier, Falconer Foundation Director, Lauren Hoyle, Dennis Cowardin, Falconer Foundation Chair
2023 Award: De'Layla Overcash
Meet De'Layla Overcash, a graduate from Statesville High School. She is currently attending UNC Charlotte with a double major in dance and exercise science. " I undoubtedly feel that my action in arts and service has had a major impact on the future and those around me. My participation in arts has granted me the opportunity to gain knowledge from so many different people which I intend on sharing with as many individuals as I can someday."
L-R: Dennis Cowardin, Falconer Foundation Chair, Cortney Frasier, Falconer Foundation Director, and De'Layla Overcash
2022 Award: Lyric Contarino
L-R: Lyric Contarino, Cortney Frasier, Falconer Foundation Director, and Dennis Cowardin, Falconer Foundation Chair
Meet Lyric Contarino, a graduate from North Iredell High School, who is currently attending Brevard College. Lyric is a spunky, outgoing, beautiful human being with a longtime passion for the arts. While at North Iredell High, she was involved in the theatre, the choir, on the Colorguard team, and on the yearbook staff. She was able to attend Brevard to pursue her musical theatre degree on almost a full ride thanks to a performing arts scholarship as well as the endowment from Falconer Foundation.