- December 4, 2025
Mariah Mills receives a plaque and a $1,000 scholarship from the Nehemiah Gilyard Scholarship Foundation. From left, Elijah Gilyard, Calandra Gilyard, Mariah Mills and Sim Gilyard. Courtesy photo by Rachel Mills
Marcus Mitchell (center) receives a plaque and $1,000 scholarship from the Nehemiah Gilyard Scholarship Foundation. Mitchell is flanked by Nehemiah's brother Elijah Gilyard and father Sim Gilyard. Courtesy photo
Flagler Palm Coast High School athletes Mariah Mills and Marcus Mitchell each received a $1,000 scholarship from the Nehemiah Gilyard Scholarship Foundation.
Nehemiah Gilyard, a former football player at FPC, died during his junior year in a single-car crash on County Road 302 on Feb. 14, 2021. His family established the scholarship after community members offered to donate money for his funeral. The family decided instead to set up the scholarship foundation in his name.
Mills and Mitchell each received a plaque that reads, "In honor of the Nehemiah Scholarship Foundation. In recognition of academic achievement and personal growth."
Mitchell, a running back at FPC, is the school's all-time leading rusher. He will continue his football career at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri.
Mills, a home-school student, receives her associate degree with high honors from Daytona State College along with her high school diploma. She wrestled for three years at Matanzas High School and one year at FPC, winning a girls state championship as a junior with Matanzas and placing among the top three at the state tournament four years in a row. She also is a two-time national champ at the NHSCA High School Nationals.
Mills will continue her wrestling career at West Liberty University, where her brother, Tyson Mills, will be joining her and will wrestle on the men's team.
