Walker Hayes Foundation

05/13/2026

Let me introduce you to our 2026 Walker Hayes Foundation Scholarship recipients from Highland School of Technology. We had an abundant amount of applicants so we couldn’t decide between two female students so we decided to give them both a scholarship. And I want to add that this was the last year of Walker’s school mates.
Kenneth Carter II is continuing his education at NC A&T and plans to study Computer Science. When Walker passed, he put LLWH-long live Walker Hayes-on his cleats to remember his friend. Kenneth is a great guy and is dedicated to have a successful college experience.
Zallack Mehta is attending Chapel Hill to study Neuroscience. Zallack’s battle with cancer at a young age is what lead her to Neuroscience. Zallack spoke in her essay about knowing Walker through her Spanish class. She wrote that everyday Walker had the class and teacher laughing-sounds about right. I have no doubt Zallack is going to do great things in the health field.
Taylor Boone is attending South College in Knoxville TN for a degree in Sonography. Taylor knew Walker prior to attending Highland-great family friends. Taylor expressed in her essay how Walker’s death made her realize that she needed to change her perspective on life. She pushed herself to get involved at Highland and started to put herself front and center in anything and everything. The shy quiet girl became an outgoing leader.
Each student received a one time $3,000.00 scholarship and a new Lenovo laptop! Congratulations guys!!

The Walker Hayes Foundation granted $15,000.00 in scholarships this year and thanks to all the support from everyone we will be doing this for many more years to come!

05/11/2026

Here are the 2026 Walker Hayes Foundation Scholarship receiptents from North Gaston High School
Keldon Williams is attending Concord University to further his education and to play football. Keldon is going to be a first generation college student and is going to pursue a major in Business/Computer Information Systems.
Ayla Terry is going to attend Appalachian State University and pursue a degree in Nursing. She hopes to work in labor and delivery or NICU.
Both students received a one time scholarship of $3,000.00 and a new Lenovo Laptop (donated by Lenovo, thanks to Walker’s sister Shelby, who works for Lenovo)
We have no doubt that both of these students are going to work hard and achieve their goals in the future. Congrats and Happy Graduation guys!!

04/06/2026

Attention 2026 Seniors at Highland School of Technology and North Gaston High School. Applications for the Walker Hayes Foundation Scholarships are due April 15th. Turn your application in to your school counselor.

11/16/2025

It was a great day at the Banana Bar! One of Walker’s favorite teachers, Brooke Queen, opened this great business in Belmont this year. She reached out and graciously offered to donate a portion of her sales from today to our foundation. Her business is not only so cute but DELICIOUS! What is better than chocolate dipped bananas or cheesecake? Thank you to everyone who stopped by and to The Banana Bar….we will definitely be back😍

09/17/2025

Look at all the smiles ❤️The Walker Hayes Golf Tournament was amazing with one kink ⛈️. But the goal for the day was to come together to remember Walker and that was accomplished. The Hayes family would like to say a special thank you to John and Wendy Ferguson . They put so much time and love into this event and we are blessed to call them our friends. Thank you to all the volunteers, friends, family and participant’s. We are humbled by the outpouring love that surrounds our family. The golf tournament raised alot of money which gives us the honor to grant more scholarships to Gaston County students. Our community continues to sustain our family with prayers and love-but most of all, you are not letting Walker’s memory fade and that makes our broken hearts mend. ❤️

08/05/2025

Wow! Thank you Abby Fallin for donating over $2,000.00 to our foundation. This young lady is AMAZING! Every summer, Abby organizes a volleyball tournament in Gastonia to raise funds for her charity of choice. This is her third year of donating the funds to the Walker Hayes Foundation. We are so honored and appreciative. Abby graduated from Highland School of Technology this past May and is starting her freshman year at UNCC next week. She has decided to pursue a degree in nursing-perfect choice for her big loving heart. Thank you Abby and we wish you much success! ❤️👩‍⚕️

06/03/2025

The Good News:
Our fundraising golf tournament in September is sold out.

The Bad News:
Our fundraising golf tournament in September is sold out.

But still have openings for Hole Sponsorships. Please contact John Ferguson for info:
[email protected]
980-226-7908

05/29/2025

05/14/2025

We 💙 Awards Night at Highland School of Technology. The foundation presented students, Reegan Racz and David Smith, the 2025 Walker Hayes Foundation Scholarships. Each student received $3,000.00 to assist with furthering their education. Reegan plans to attend NC State to major in Chemical Engineering. David Smith plans to attend Gateway Technical College to study manufacturing. Our board was impressed by both students character and honesty-traits that reminded us of Walker. Congrats Reegan and David and Happy Graduation!💙💛

05/08/2025

We are excited to announce our North Gaston 2025 Walker Hayes Foundation scholarship recipients, Morgan Leigh and Solomon Rhyne. Each received a $3,000.00 scholarship for their future education journey. They both plan to attend Gaston College and pursue a degree in nursing. Morgan hopes to eventually follow her mom’s footsteps and become a school nurse. Solomon plans to be a nurse and hopes to enter politics in the future….Future Mayor of Dallas is our prediction. Both of these students checked all the boxes for a scholarship but what touched our board the most was their honesty and character. Congratulations Morgan and Solomon-and HAPPY GRADUATION! 💛🖤