Manning native receives substantial scholarship for medical school

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Manning native Darius Blanding found out in early October 2014 that he received early admission to the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville. He found out early last month that he received $30,000 per year to help in that endeavor. The scholarship award covers all but about $9,000 of the yearly tuition costs, according to Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Student Records Casey Wiley. The entire award amounts to $120,000 over the next four years. Blanding attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where he studied biology and pre-med. He conducted research there into brain tumor cells under Dr. Patrick Martin. His work specifically involved testing the proliferation, or growth, of glioblastoma cells. The son of Barbara Lloyd Blanding and Carlton Blanding, he is the grandson of Mamie Lloyd and the late Bobby Lloyd and the late Hessie Ann and Frederick Blanding. He is the great-grandson of Rosalee Morris. The Manning High School graduate said his involvement in the school’s FFA program helped him become a better student who could work toward his goals of going to medical school. “At Manning High, I was really involved with the FA,” he said. “I was an officer for two years with Coach (Michael) Haynes. When I was with FFA, I competed on two different teams, the Parlimentary Procedures team as well as the Agricultural Issues team. Those two different teams helped me to become an open person and more involved with the school. Clarendon School District 2 Superintendent John Tindal has always been a supporter of Blanding, both during his time with the district and during his college studies. “I am so proud of Darius and the success he has had in college,” Tindal said, noting he could see success in Blanding during his high school years. “Darius has always been focused on academics and he has a bright future ahead of him. I am proud that he is a product of Clarendon School District 2 schools and this community.” Blanding was a Lewis and Elizabeth Dowdy Scholar during his first year at NCA&T, and was a member of the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, the Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society, the Alpha Lambda Delta Freshman Honor Society and the Student University Activities Board. He was named 2012-13 Mr. Tri-Beta for Beta Beta Beta.