THE HONORABLE RALPH A. HUNT, SR. NEXT GENERATION LEADER AWARD

The Honorable Ralph A. Hunt, Sr. Next Generation Leader Scholarship honors a high school senior male student enrolled in a Durham, North Carolina educational system who embodies the values of global awareness, peacebuilding, diplomacy, and civil rights advocacy.

I offer my full and formal endorsement of Payton Garris for the Honorable Ralph A. Hunt, Sr. Next Generation Leader Scholarship. Payton is a dual enrolled graduating senior in the International Baccalaureate Program at Hillside High School and earned an Associate’s Degree at Durham Technical Community College. Upon graduation, Payton plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, with the goal of becoming a Psychologist. Payton is driven to explore cognitive, emotional, and social processes by observing, interpreting, and analyzing human behavior and interactions within various environments. By leveraging these insights, Payton aims to develop evidence-based strategies to enhance individual well-being, improve interpersonal relationships, and foster positive behavioral change, making a meaningful impact in the field of psychology. 

I am most impressed by Payton’s intellectual curiosity, drive, compassion, interpersonal skills, problem-solving ability, superior academic performance and career focus. His leadership skills were also evident as he was elected by his fellow scholars to serve as President for the Scholars Leadership Team responsible for leading efforts to have empower scholars to have a meaningful voice in shaping the Young Men of Excellence Program by actively identifying goals and participating in programming and decision-making processes.

Payton would be an exceptional selection for the Honorable Ralph A. Hunt, Sr. Next Generation Leader

Scholarship as demonstrated by his commitment to advocacy, peacebuilding and social justice demonstrating the legacy of the Honorable Ralph A. Hunt, Sr.

DeWarren K. Langley, JD, MPA, MHFA, YMHFA, SWL

Visionary & Executive Director