Highlands School students inducted into the New Century Scholars Program at Southwestern Community College, included, (L to R): Gabrielle Tilson, Emily Munger, Kimberly Machuca, Cody St. Germain. Not pictured: Clayton Creighton, Shelby Houston and Austin Reese.

Nantahala School students inducted as New Century Scholars at a recent ceremony at Southwestern Community College included (L-R): Canaan Awaad, Dustyn Garrett and Mikel Morgan.

Macon Middle School students hold their certificates indicating they are New Century Scholars. Pictured on the front row are (L to R): Jake Tallent, Lakota Bell, Justin Connell, Brandon Bishop, Macey Lewis, Mariah Francescutti, Kasey Roper, Rikki Jay, Kaylee Marsengill, Brooklynn Burt, Kacie Peck. Middle row: Rivers Hockensmith, Tanner Stamey, Zachary McCall, Courtney Shuler, Kaitlyn Anderson, Tracy McMahan, Jessica Weikel, Katie Peck, Samantha Marling, Carrie Southard, Gene Hood. Back row: Timothy Rodriguez, Aleah Pignato, Miranda Caffee, Nicole Valley, Kaitlyn Hesselbirg, Kaitlyn Drinnon, Anissa Steele, Lena Wilson, Carly Alexander. Not pictured: Cheyenne Bennett, Courtney Blackburn, Kristen Cabe, Rachael Carpenter, Brittany Croston, Logan Dodge, Andrew English, Deena Gibson, Kristen Heston, Cody Keener, Cody Lindley, John Marr, Noah McMahan, Sean Nilan, Eric Olvera, B.J. Parrish, Shannon Pena, Samantha Piper, Jerry Shepherd, Dakota Sherman, Jimmy Williamson. (click on photos to enlarge)

Sixty-two seventh grade students from Macon Middle, Highlands and Nantahala schools, representing the class of 2012, were recently inducted into the New Century Scholars Program at Southwestern Community College.

After a cookout to celebrate the occasion, the students, their families and friends, and educational officials from Macon County and SCC gathered in Myers Auditorium for an induction ceremony.

"This is your first day of college,” SCC president Dr. Cecil Groves told the young people. Groves went on to talk about the value of the New Century Scholars Program and explained that each student now has the opportunity to receive a guaranteed college education with tuition paid through Southwestern and, if the students choose to go on, another two years at Western Carolina University.

The New Century Scholars Program, begun in 1995, is a collaborative educational effort among the public schools in Macon, Jackson and Swain counties and Southwestern Community College. The program targets "high potential" students at the end of sixth grade and provides extra support to those students through their middle school and high school years.

Students are nominated based on their potential for academic success, yearly promotion and leadership ability. Selected students must display effort in the classroom and have a positive attitude and desire for education, have good behavior and character and meet the county attendance policy.

Upon completion of high school, each student is awarded a tuition scholarship for each of his/her two years at Southwestern Community College.

Western Carolina University has added a guaranteed scholarship that will enable students who complete the NCS program and earn an Associates Degree at SCC to continue their education at the University for two years and earn a Bachelors Degree.

Jennifer Jones, Macon County New Century Scholars coordinator, stated, "Not only do students receive the tuition guarantee, they also receive extra support in their educational pursuits while in middle and high school. Teachers and administrators work hard to have students involved in activities to improve attendance and academic performance. This is a very valuable component of the program.

"As a condition of participation in the New Century Scholars program, students are also required to perform ten hours of volunteer service per year. This volunteer service to our community is a way the New Century Scholar can give back the gift which he or she has been given.”
Jones said that during the 2005-2006 school year, New Century Scholars logged over 5,500 hours of volunteer service to the community.

Initiative training exercises for New Century Scholars complement educational support and volunteer service opportunities by helping students build self-esteem and gain leadership skills. Team building activities during the middle school years help to increase group dynamics; and in high school, high ropes and rock climbing courses challenge Scholars in a physical way. These individual challenges expand the Scholar's trust of others, critical thinking skills, self-reliance, and limit setting.

In addition to the 62 newly-inducted seventh graders, there are currently 280 New Century Scholars in grades 8-12 in the Macon County Schools. Since the first graduation class of 2002, ninety-nine students have risen to the challenges of this scholarship program to further their education after high school graduation. While most have pursued college diplomas, several Scholars have elected to serve in the armed forces or directly enter the workforce.

"In all cases,” Jones said, “the advantages of the New Century Scholars Program have opened doors that may have otherwise been closed.”

The number of scholarships awarded each year depends on the number contributed by Macon County citizens, organizations and businesses. According to Jones, community support for the NCS program has been generous. “Sponsors contribute $500 per tuition scholarship each year,” she said. “Gifts of money translate into gifts of time back to the community from each Scholar and give the Scholar so much in the way of education, self-esteem and personal growth.”

To learn more about the NCS scholarship program, visit the SCC web site at www.southwesterncc.edu. For more information on contributing to the program, contact Sonja Haynes at SCC at 800.447.4091 or 828.586.4091, extension 218, or Jennifer Jones at the Macon County School Administrative Offices at 828.524-4414.

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