Lillian O’Brien

Lillian O’Brien of Raleigh, N.C., graduated from Cardinal Gibbons High School. She was awarded the Close Family Centennial Scholarship and is studying Fashion and Textile Design.

Lillian has taken many Advanced Placement courses, including world history, environmental science, U.S. history, English language and composition, biology and a variety of college-prep courses. She participated in many extracurricular activities such as The Repeater Arts and Literary Magazine, French Club and the National Honor Society. She also was president of The Coffee House Club. She volunteered for the Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity and a low-income preschool. Lily enjoys participating in the arts through a variety of mediums, such as dance, sewing, floral design and photography.

She says her hard work in previous years contributed to her opportunity to be a Centennial Scholar, and plans to further her achievements through her studies at the Wilson College of Textiles. “This scholarship has made a difference because it means the plethora of opportunities the Wilson College of Textiles and NC State are now more attainable. There are so many things to do to enrich my learning and social experiences at State and with the scholarship, I have more access to those events. It has also given me a great community of teachers and peers to experience college with and learn from,” she says.

One of the deciding factors in choosing to attend NC State was the fact that the Wilson College of Textiles’ Fashion and Textile Design degree is a bachelor’s of science. “As someone who wants to focus on the sustainability and ethics within the fashion industry, the opportunity for a BS was a huge bonus,” she says.

Lillian plans to uphold all that it means to be a Centennial Scholar both during her time at NC State and beyond graduation. “Having the opportunity to be Centennial scholar gives me the skillset, the connections, and the community to be successful in the future. And not only does it give me a chance to follow my passions for a future career, but it will also be a identity and responsibility I hold and give back to,” she says.

Written by Mary Margaret Lyle