Criteria: OCHS Senior who plans to attend a college or university. Must hold a minimum 3.6 GPA and demonstrated exemplary character throughout his or her high school experience. The scholarship may be used for tuition, books, and fees.

Amount: $1,000

The Cleo Perdue Short Memorial Scholarship Fund provides a one year $1000.00 award to an Orange County High School graduate who plans to attend a college or university and is not limited to a specific profession. The recipient, selected by the high school scholarship committee, must hold a minimum of a 3.6 grade point average and demonstrated exemplary character throughout their high school experience. The scholarship may be used for tuition, books, and fees.

This scholarship fund was established and is maintained by the Perdue and Short Families.

Cleo P. Short graduated from Northside High School in Roanoke, Virginia and entered Elon College/University in the profession of education in the fall of 1966. Mrs. Short was a Magna Cum Laude graduate and later served on the Board of Visitors of Elon College. She taught elementary school in Orange County and served as a long term substitute and volunteer in four of the county public schools. She was the PTO President at Orange County High School throughout the 1990s and parent representative on many school and board committees. She also served Grymes Memorial School for several years in many different capacities. Mrs. Short was also recognized as a local business woman. Cleo was very active in both Mt. Zion and Trinity Methodist Churches.

In addition to her outstanding service to the children of Orange County, Mrs. Short enjoyed her grandchildren, quilting, canoeing, snow skiing and riding motorcycles. She is survived by her husband, Thomas E. Short, and three children.

A memorial fund has been established in her name at John Hopkins for creating the first tissue bank of its kind for research related to her rare cancer.

Cleo Short is most remembered for her beautiful smile, positive attitude and caring, loving ways.

Scholarship Winners

• 2021 – Andrea Payette
• 2020 – Kamryn Davis