The Lockerbie Academy sixth years, both aged 17, have been appointed as the 18/19 Syracuse scholars.
Head boy Joseph, from Nethermill, hopes to study his two passions at the university, acting and politics.
Delighted to be selected, he said: “I wanted to be a Syracuse Scholar because I’ve played an active role in the Lockerbie community in my years at the academy, and I wanted to further that by having the honour of going to Syracuse to represent the town and keep the memory alive over the disaster.
“I was completely lost for words when the decision was announced, I remember sitting feeling literally speechless. It is such an honour and was I overjoyed.”
He added: “I’m ready to dive right into and make the most of a scholarship that came about from such tragic events.”
Meanwhile, hockey player Harriet from Parkgate says she was overwhelmed to be selected.
She said: “I wanted to be a Syracuse scholar as it was an amazing opportunity to travel abroad and gain experience of living away from home before university, as well as being able to represent Lockerbie and the school whilst taking part in Remembrance Week.
“It was overwhelming to find out I had been chosen, very surreal but I am now excited to go and have already planned to see places such as Niagara Falls whilst over there.”
Hoping to study French, biology and photography whilst at Syracuse, Harriet wants to study biochemistry at university when she returns.
Delighted at this year’s selec- tions, Annandale North Councillor Adam Wilson, chair of the Lockerbie Syracuse Trust said: “The trustees were impressed by the number and quality of all the applications we received for the Syracuse Scholarship this year.
“It was great to hear about the achievements of so many of our young people during the applica- tion process.
“After much deliberation we were delighted to announce that Joe and Harriet will spend next year in Syracuse University. We know that both Joe and Harriet will represent Lockerbie, Dum- fries and Galloway and indeed Scotland very well particularly over this 30th anniversary year.”
