Wade Edwards was a high school student at Needham B. Broughton High School in Raleigh, North Carolina until his death on April 4, 1996. An honor student, a winner of national, state, and local writing awards, a high school athlete, an editor of the yearbook, and a cherished friend, Wade exemplified the community's aspirations for excellence, compassion, and character.

In the spring of 1996, Wade entered a national essay contest for high school students co-sponsored by the Voice of America and National Endowment for the Arts. The theme of the contest was "What it means to be an American." Wade was choosen as a finalist and went to Washington, DC with his family to attend the awards ceremony.

In addition to his academic accomplishments, Wade participated for over ten years at various levels with the Capital Area Soccer League. He attended Woodberry Forest Sports Camp, the Colorado Outward Bound School, and every home basketball game of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels.

In the summer of 1995, he and his father successfully climbed the difficult Machame and Shira route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, at 19,343 feet the highest peak in Africa.

He worked after school for his father's law firm, Edwards and Kirby, and participated in Broughton High School's community service program, working for the Wake Education Partnership, the Daniels Middle School Parent-Teacher Association, political campaigns, and Broughton High School.

Senator Helms gave a eulogy for Wade on the floor of the United States Senate.

In Wade's name, members of the community helped Wade's family and friends establish the Wade Edwards Foundation for the purpose of motivating, inspiring, and rewarding young people.

Wade's Essay: Fancy Clothes and Overalls

Editorial Written by Jim Jenkins about Wade's Essay & Trip: Keeping Faith with Two American Voices, written March 14, 1996

Jim Jenkin's Response to the News of Wade's Accident: A Great Kid, written April 6, 1996

A follow up from Jim Jenkins: Wade's Legacy of Wisdom and Love, written June 6, 1996