Cabarrus County GOP Announces 2026 Pegge Haywood Scholarship
Annual award supports local seniors who demonstrate service, leadership and commitment to Republican ideals; applications due by May 5.
This article is based on a news release from the Cabarrus County Republican Party.
The Cabarrus County Republican Party has announced details for its annual Pegge Lee Haywood Scholarship, an award aimed at supporting college-bound high school seniors who demonstrate a commitment to Republican principles and community involvement.
The scholarship is funded through a generous bequest from Pegge Haywood, a longtime Cabarrus County civic leader and Republican activist. Haywood (1924–2005) was widely known for her contributions to the arts and community service.
She owned the Pegge Lee School of Dance for 40 years — now known as Cabarrus Dance Academy — and held leadership roles with organizations including Historic Cabarrus, the Cabarrus Arts Council, the county Social Services Board, and Meals on Wheels. She was also active with the American Red Cross and co-founded the Miss Dance of America Pageant.
Established in her honor, the scholarship recognizes a student who reflects her legacy of public service and civic engagement. Applicants must demonstrate involvement in Republican Party activities and submit a brief essay on the Republican Party Platform. However, students are not required to pursue a politically oriented college major.
"The annual Pegge Haywood Scholarship is a great way for our local party to give back to the next generation of leaders," said Cabarrus County Republican Party Chairman Jim Quick. "It is an especially meaningful exercise as we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation and recall the sacrifices and bravery of men & women right here in Cabarrus that signed the Mecklenburg Declaration and the nine young men from the Rocky River area who, in May 1771, raided and destroyed a British gunpowder convoy during the Regulator Movement — an act considered one of the earliest sparks of the American Revolution."
Organizers say the scholarship is intended to encourage young people to follow Haywood’s example by engaging in public service, charitable work, and civic life. Funds for the award are maintained in a separate account designated exclusively for scholarship use and are not used for political purposes.
Applications for the 2026 scholarship are open to Cabarrus County high school seniors in public, private, charter, or homeschool settings.
Interested students must request an application via email and submit all materials by May 5 at midnight. Winners will be announced June 4 during the Pegge Haywood Scholarship Night at the Cabarrus County Republican Party headquarters.
Applicants should email Secretary@cabarrus.gop to receive an application. The Scholarship Committee is led by Deborah Bamford.
Learn more about the scholarship on the Cabarrus GOP’s website.