The Beginning Hands Scholarship (TBHS) 

​Wanda's Little Hands established The Beginning Hands Scholarship (TBHS) WLHEC, Inc. in 2015. It is to help support our young people that are working or volunteering their time in the community through service, talent, or extracurricular. The service could be completed at Wanda's Little Hands beginning during their freshman year of high school. The candidate is selected on their commitment, dedication, and determination of the service project. A nomination committee will select the candidate to receive a $500.00 scholarship at their graduation year. 

2015 Candidate                              Mercedes Mitchell, Southeast Raleigh High School
2019 Candidate                              Dabreon Davis, Raleigh Charter High School
2020 Candidate                             Nyla Denise Rouse, Knightdale High School
2022 Candidate                             Taylor Janine Bethel, South Garner High School
2023 Candidate                             Iyanna N. Washington, Rising Stars Leadership Academy
2024 Candidate                             Gabriella Williams, Enloe High School

Gabriella Williams
My name is Gabriella Williams. I attended Enloe High School before transferring to the North Carolina School of the Arts on May 17, 2025, for my senior year to major in dance.  Along with this essay and my mini essays for my college applications, I was accepted into 39 different colleges and given over 300,000$ in scholarship money, added up together from each school, and the college I chose to attend is Connecticut College on an almost full ride, and I am so excited to be continuing my dance journey and academic journey as well!

Iyanna N. Washington
My name is Iyanna N. Washington, and I have been volunteering at Wanda's Little Hands Educational Center (WLHEC) for 5 months as Project Manager. Volunteering at WLHEC has been a great experience, especially regarding the staff, children, and activities. It has truly been a great and life-changing experience. Some activities I have had the pleasure to work on and coordinate were the Kindergarten Library, Spirit Week, Prom, Black History Month, and NC Pre-K Graduation. While working on these projects it's nice seeing the children and teachers enjoying my creativity and visions.
In addition, I would like to share with you some intel on myself. Recently, I graduated from Rising Stars Leadership Academy. My plan is to attend Wake Tech to receive my degree in Geomatics. Afterwards, I plan on traveling around the world to learn about history, culture, and myths. I will write books, poetry, legends, documenting my travels and experiences. I have achieved a good number of things while attending school including Honor Student Awards, sports, and great projects. I would like to thank Mrs. Wanda McCargo, the Staff, and children of Wanda's Little Hands Educational Center for allowing me to enjoy my time volunteering here. It has been a great pleasure being a part of the WLHEC Family.

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Taylor Janine Bethel
​​Taylor Janine Bethel, graduate from South Garner High School. Attending Elizabeth City State University for psychology and dance. She was awarded the 2022 Beginning Hands scholarship from WLHEC, Inc because of her commitment and performance with her dance group, "Right Moves Dance" in Southeast Raleigh. Taylor not only received awards in creative dance, but also supported her dance group by helping out with the younger dancers. Wanda's Little Hands applauds Taylor for her outstanding leadership and dedication!

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Nyla Denise Rouse:
Nyla Denise Rouse  graduated from Knightdale High School of Collaborative Design. My plans after graduation are to learn more about the music industry through this program that is partnered with NYU (New York University) and Yellow brick. With the knowledge that I will learn I want to become a music producer and a singer. I might also possibly further my knowledge with actually taking classes at NYU much later on.

​WLHEC, Inc. Sponsorship Organizations

Right Moves Dance