2019 Martin Marietta Scholarships
Lanie Fulk
The University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill
“I’ve always loved caring for people and I’ve always loved to serve others,”
12 September/October 2019 The Conveyor | 12 2019 www.martinmarietta.com
says 18-year-old Lanie Fulk, “Those are just things I really enjoy. So, I figured
I should just do something where I can do those things every single day.”
She graduated near the top of her class and served as a chapter president for
the National Honor Society, but to Fulk, the one element of her life that brings
her the most pride is something that’s been a constant – volunteerism.
“The group mission trips I go on with my church every summer have had an
incredible influence on my life,” she says, noting that the work has taken her to
Montana, Georgia and elsewhere in the United States. “We split into groups and
visit people who have applied for help in their homes. We help fix things and
talk to the residents. It’s a great experience spiritually and in many other respects.
There’s a great joy in meeting people who live so differently than I do.”
It was volunteering that led Fulk to what she believes will be her future. Long
interested in the medical field, the teen volunteered on multiple occasions to work
in hospitals. During one of these experiences, she shadowed a certified registered
nurse anesthetist. Soon after, it just clicked for her.
“I went to a medical camp at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
the summer after my sophomore year, stayed on campus for nine days and that’s
when I figured out what I want to do,” she says. “I was so excited when I got
back home. I learned everything I could about the career and decided that this
was definitely the path I want to take.”
As she returns to UNC, this time as a full-time student, Fulk says she’s just as
excited as she was when she found her life’s calling. Still, there are nerves that
come with leaving home for a major university. She’s never experienced a true
college setting and, like many others her age, fears failure. With four years of
excellent high school experiences, an open mind and her faith propelling her
forward, however, Fulk says she’s confident she will succeed.
“This is going to be a learning experience, but I’m excited to figure out where
I belong,” she says. “I’ve already reached out to someone about volunteering at a
hospital where I will provide emotional support for children who are too ill to
leave the grounds, so I’m excited to help there. I think what it comes down to is
that I worked hard every single day in high school and I’m going to try to do
the same here in college.” ▼
Just the Facts: Lanie Fulk
Parents: Salisbury Shop Field Services Leadperson
Wesley Fulk and Christie Fulk
High School: East Rowan High School (North Carolina)
Lanie’s message to dad: “Thank you so much for everything
you’ve done for me. You’re the hardest worker I know.
You never miss a day of work – even if you’re sick – and
I hope to follow your example. I know you work hard
for us – your family – and I love you.”
© 2018 The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
/www.martinmarietta.com