NC Renaissance award honors Hedgepeth's spirit, legacy

While the circumstances surrounding Faith Danielle Hedgepeth’s homicide remain uncertain, two North Carolina Renaissance counselors are working to keep one thing clear ­— her legacy.

The counselors created the “Have Faith” Spirit Award — which was given for the first time this year to sophomore Kimberly McCullough — to honor the North Carolina Renaissance counselor who most closely embodies Hedgepeth’s spirit.

Tina Kawatu, a 2013 graduate and co-creator of the award, has known McCullough for two years and said she was chosen as the winner because she’s very genuine.

“She’s always smiling, she’s always happy, she’s always willing to meet new people,” she said.

“She’s one of those people who is just always willing to give her knowledge to people who need it.”

North Carolina Renaissance is a four-day, three-night program for high school sophomores from rural areas. The goal of the program is to encourage students to start thinking about options for higher education.

Hedgepeth attended the program as a high school student and later became a counselor.

Mike Jones, who worked with Kawatu on creating the award, said the two of them created it because of Hedgepeth’s close ties to the program.

He said they wanted to ensure that Hedgepeth’s memory remains at the University, even once those who knew her have graduated.

“I feel like with people who are as nice and as genuine as Faith — their legacy should always continue on campus,” he said.

Jones said he and Hedgepeth were close friends, and he would regularly visit her at Red Robin when she worked there.

McCullough said winning the award means a lot to her.

“She was honestly one of the best people I’ve ever met,” she said.

“She embodied so much that I want to be one day, and winning this award — it just means that I am doing something right by honoring her and living out her legacy.”

McCullough said the program’s students admired Hedgepeth because of her sweet spirit and personable nature.

“(Faith) was just very fun and bubbly and a bright individual,” she said.

“She made you feel at home with her when you were talking to her, and this award really shows and demonstrates how great of an individual she was and how much she impacted people just by being herself.”

The award will be given annually to a North Carolina Renaissance counselor who is chosen by the program’s staff. A plaque honoring the winners will hang in the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs.

Roland Hedgepeth, Faith Hedgepeth’s father, said he appreciates the idea behind the award.

“Anything I see that will keep Faith’s memory alive — I’m all for it,” he said.

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