OrthoSC

Stronger Together Scholarship Winner Spotlight: Ella Lupo

Our final Stronger Together Scholarship recipient, Ella Lupo, embodies everything this scholarship was created to celebrate.

A standout student from Loris, Ella’s accomplishments are nothing short of remarkable. As a member of multiple honor societies—including National Honor Society, National Beta Club, National English Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, and more—she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to academic excellence. Her achievements earned her numerous prestigious scholarships, including the OrthoSC Stronger Together Scholarship.

But what moved us most was not her résumé—it was her heart.

Ella spoke beautifully about what it means to grow up in a small town like Loris. She shared how her community poured into her, cared for her, and helped her believe that every dream she had was possible. Now, she hopes to carry that same spirit forward.
This fall, Ella will attend USC to pursue a degree in nursing before continuing her education to become a nurse practitioner. Her goal is to return home to Loris and give back the same love, knowledge, and care that shaped her into the person she is today.

As an added bonus, Ella had the opportunity to meet one of OrthoSC’s own Nurse Practitioners, Tasha Lee, who we hope will become a future mentor as Ella begins her journey into healthcare.

Congratulations, Ella. Your hometown is proud of you, and we cannot wait to see the impact you make on the community that helped raise you. 💙

Strength isn’t always measured by the challenges we avoid, but by the ones we overcome.

Congratulations to North Myrtle Beach High School senior Cole Woody, recipient of the OrthoSC Stronger Together Scholarship.

At a young age, Cole faced personal adversity. While those challenges often made everyday situations feel overwhelming, he chose to view them not as limitations, but as opportunities to develop resilience, empathy, and determination.

As a two-year captain of the NMBHS wrestling team, Cole learned how to persevere when life gets difficult. Through the McLeod Workforce Development Program, he shadowed a primary care physician, physical therapist, and emergency room nurse—experiences that confirmed his calling to healthcare.

Next year, Cole will attend HGTC’s ADN Nursing Program with plans to become a BSN-prepared nurse and patient advocate dedicated to making patients feel seen, heard, and cared for.

His application included a statement that perfectly captures the compassion he hopes to bring to his future patients:

“I know what it feels like to fight battles deep down that no one can see. To feel overwhelmed and keep going. And if I can be the person standing in the room calm, steady and present, then maybe I can be the difference for someone on their hardest day.”

We have no doubt he will.

Congratulations, Cole. Your future patients will be fortunate to have you in their corner.

Some students aspire to make a difference. Others already are.

Congratulations to North Myrtle Beach High School senior McKenna Dailey, recipient of the OrthoSC Stronger Together Scholarship.

This fall, McKenna will attend the University of South Carolina, where she plans to study nursing before ultimately earning her doctorate and becoming a pediatrician. While her future goals are ambitious, her heart remains firmly rooted in the community that helped shape her.

In her application, McKenna shared that her community has given her “a sense of belonging and opportunity,” inspiring her desire to one day return home and serve the very people who invested in her success. She hopes to “provide the same access to encouragement I was given” and create a lasting impact through both healthcare and community involvement.

Perhaps her vision is best captured in her own words:

“My impact will come from being someone my community can rely on that uses their knowledge to make a difference.”

We were also honored to celebrate this achievement alongside one of the educators who helped guide her journey, her favorite math teacher, Lee Shelton. Their mutual admiration and support throughout McKenna’s academic career serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting influence great teachers have on their students.

Congratulations, McKenna. We cannot wait to see the difference you make for future generations.