HS seniors can apply for scholarship in slain UNCC student's name

MONROE, N.C. — Julie Parlier says her son, Reed, loved the IT field. It stirred his passion at Central Academy of Technology and Arts in Monroe, and brought him to UNC Charlotte.

"He just made this school his home," Julie Parlier said.

Reed's life was cut short during a mass shooting at UNCC last spring. His family and his schools plan to honor him.

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High school seniors can now apply for a scholarship in Reed's name. It's a full ride scholarship for students pursuing computer technology at UNCC, and students at CATA will receive preference.

[LINK: Ellis “Reed” Parlier Memorial Scholarship information]

”It’s overwhelming,” Julie Parlier said. “An anonymous donor set this scholarship up for Reed, and we're so happy that a CATA student is going to be able to continue Reed’s legacy in computer technology, and it’s wonderful."

Nikol Stoicheva is one of the 46 seniors at CATA who can apply. She said she plans to.

"For people to be interested to go into that field, thanks to him, and given this opportunity is amazing,” she said. “I think someone should honor that going into UNCC for his major."

[CLICK HERE to donate to Reed Parlier Scholarship Fund]

The scholarship will be awarded every four years, and that student's name will be added to a plaque at the high school.

For students who thought of Reed as a mentor, they said they feel this is the perfect way to honor him.

[SPECIAL SECTION: UNCC shooting]

"What he had accomplished as a senior when he graduated is more than I ever did,” said Caleb Beckstein. “The things that he was doing, he was probably one of the brightest guys at CATA.”

Just outside CATA, there’s also a memorial for Reed. It's a bench, a tree and a plaque that reads: In Memory of Ellis Reed Parlier, Class of 2017.

Cox Media Group