CHAPEL HILL – After a 23-year career serving the NCHSAA, its member schools and student-athletes, Mary Vrnak, Director of Fundraising and Scholarships for the NCHSAA, is retiring. Mary began her career at the NCHSAA in 1995, joining the Association's Student Services department. In the early 2000's, Vrnak moved into the Marketing and Development department, where she worked tirelessly in service of the student-athletes of the NCHSAA.

Vrnak managed the scholarship program of the Association, helping coordinate the collection of applications and assessment of qualifications. She also coordinated the NCHSAA's Silent Auction, held each year at the Annual Meeting, which helped raise money for the NCHSAA Hall of Fame Endowed Fund.

"I hired Mary in 1995 to help me in the Student Services Department, and it just seems like yesterday that she began working with us at the NCHSAA. 23 years have come and gone, and through many changes at the Association, Mary has dedicated herself to theservice of our schools and students," said Commissioner Que Tucker. "She worked so hard behind the scenes to help make a lot of things happen, particularly in the scholarship awards area—talking with guidance counselors, encouraging coaches to write the recommendation or reaching out to retirees to serve on committees to read scholarship applications and essays. Her passion and drive for the member students will be greatly missed."

Mary's last day at the NCHSAA is August 2, 2018. In the coming months, she plans to spend time with family, especially her children and grandchildren. Please join us in thanking Mary for her service and congratulating her on her retirement!