During the 2024 Trentini Foundation dinner on April 18, football standout, actor, 2023 Homecoming King and community volunteer Rodrick (Rico) Alston was named the winner of the $30,000 scholarship.
Alston played football at Wake Forest High School, earning football honors including NAC-6 All Conference and NAC-6 All Academic Conference. In 2022 he was honored with the Stallion Award and in 2023 he was awarded the coveted Rock Harrison Offensive MVP Award. His senior year he was invited and participated in the 919 vs 252 All-Star Football Showcase held in Greenville, North Carolina.
Rodrick was also voted as 2023 Homecoming King and has been recognized by faculty as an Outstanding Senior. Rodrick is a member of the National Achievers Society, International Thespian Society, WFHS Theatre Troupe #5099, Key Club, Drama Club and Speech and Debate Club. He enjoys acting and recently qualified for the International Thespian Festival National competition to be held at Indiana University in June 2024.
Rodrick has volunteered in many community activities including performing at local elementary schools with his theatre troupe and volunteering at the WFHS Freshman Orientation Cougar Camps.
He participated at a STEM Summit conference in Durham, NC for youth as a guest panelist where he discussed the importance of mental health in sports and ways to support yourself through music. He also helped with landscaping efforts for a neighborhood in Tarboro, NC that was previously affected by flood waters.
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