High School Senior Earns Scholarship, Donates College Savings to Help Other Students
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Joshua Nelson, a senior at St. Charles West High School in Missouri, decided to pay it forward by donating over $1,000 of his college savings to another student after Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) selected Nelson for a SEMO’s President Scholarship.
“The MAC Scholars program seeks to provide opportunities for students to develop and sharpen the skills necessary to succeed in high school and beyond,” MAC’s website information explained.
Nelson is also a member of the varsity basketball team, huddle leader for the Fellow of Christian Athletes, and a member of the National Honor Society, National Society of Black Engineers, and Black Student Union. t Nelson, who wants to pursue a career in optometry, is an active community volunteer.
Published May 13, 2021 at 4:21 PM CDT Listen • 15:06
On Saturday afternoon, Ashley-Ann Davis will offer some words of wisdom to her fellow graduating seniors at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla. She’s one of just four S&T students scheduled to speak at the university’s in-person commencement ceremonies. But when it comes to giving life advice, 22-year-old Davis hasn’t just written a speech she’s also got a small book to her name: “Partying With a 4.0: Finding Balance in College.”
Davis, who is completing her bachelor s degree in engineering management this week, published the volume last summer. In it, she offers concrete suggestions for how to make the most of one’s undergraduate experience, making the case that it’s possible to find academic success while also making sufficient time for other activities and sheer enjoyment.
On April 28, Randell Adjei spoken word artist, author, arts educator and founder of the Scarborough-based youth-oriented initiative Reaching Intelligent Souls Everywhere (R.I.S.E.) was named the first Poet Laureate of Ontario. The unprecedented accolade is a moment in Adjei’s mounting legacy that’s been building since grade school.
“It’s been a journey,” Adjei reflects. “It’s been about facing adversity, intimately, and finding different avenues to overcome it.” Adjei is frank in divulging the hardships woven into his story, highlighting several arrests in his youth and also the alarming and pivotal time when he was jumped and mugged shortly after being named valedictorian of his high school and graduating as an Ontario Scholar. Adjei has been able to ultimately find a centre, and a purpose, through writing about these instances of upheaval. “When you’re born to do something, I don’t think anything or anyone can hold you back from your destiny.”
I wanted to give back : High school senior donates his college savings to another student in need after being awarded a full-ride scholarship to Southeast Missouri State University
Joshua Nelson, 18, a student at St. Charles West High School in Missouri, was awarded the Southeast Missouri State University President Scholarship
As long as Nelson meets the scholarship renewal criteria, he will receive $7,000 to cover tuition and fees and $3,000 for residence hall fees each year of college
The award is valued at approximately $43,000 over four years
After receiving the award, he decided to use the $1,000 he saved for college to start The Joshua Nelson Leaders in Action Scholarship at his high school
While pursuing her bachelor's degree in engineering management at Missouri S&T, Ashley-Ann Davis penned “Partying With a 4.0: Finding Balance in College,” publishing the slim volume last summer.