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| Jackson County seventh-graders who were inducted into the New Century Scholars on Monday, Nov. 2, at SCC’s Jackson Campus, included, front row, from left: Luke Ammons, Jaedon Brown and Devin Bryson. Second row: Dacota Cameron, Amira Castillo, Kylei Clark, Roxie Davis and Madelyn Drummonds. Third row: Kaleb Franks, Nakayla Franks, Bianca Lopez, Tailynn McAlister and Jacob Pressler. Back row: Charlotte Sherrill, Alexander Smith, Samantha Tilley, Alex Valdez-Hensley and Forrest Ward. Not pictured are Brandon Barker and Libby O’Neal. |
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| Macon County seventh-graders who were inducted into the New Century Scholars on Monday, Nov. 2, at SCC’s Jackson Campus, included, front row, from left: Hannah Ramsey, Annaka Thomason, Joana Jimenez-Reyes, McKenzy Tom, and Hailey McCall. Middle: Jasmine Cruz-Rios, Autumn Boyce, Rebekah Stewart and Maddy Tillot. Back: Sebastian Hernandez, Lake Ledford, Aiden O'Dell and Eli Gilbert. Not pictured are: Leah Carter, Alicia Deal, Miriam Deal, Preston Hathcock, Amaya Jones, Logan Petrone and Miriam Rios-Ortis. |
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| Swain County seventh-graders who were inducted into the New Century Scholars on Monday, Nov. 2, at SCC’s Jackson Campus, included, front row, from left: Keaira Bryson, Harmon Dixon, Lynsey Conner, Hannah Epperson and Kiana Stephenson. Second row: Ashlyn Bridges, Ruby Dyer, Kailey Stewart and Stacey Griggs. Third row: Connor Reynolds, Dylan Lakey, Scarlett Stephenson and Faith Parker. Back: Hunter Ball, Alldon Phillips, Jaden Bielecki and Madison Dixon. Not Pictured: Hunter Cochran, Chazum Keener and Emily Wilkie. |
Twenty seventh-grade students from each county in Southwestern Community College’s service area were inducted into the New Century Scholars program on Monday, Nov. 2, at the college’s Jackson Campus.
Parents, close friends and supporters of the latest New Century Scholars were joined by officials from SCC and Jackson, Macon and Swain County schools as well as Western Carolina University.
Established in 1995 by the late Dr. Charles McConnell - Jackson County Schools’ superintendent at the time – and then SCC-president Dr. Barry Russell, the program provides last-dollar tuition assistance at SCC so long as students fulfill program obligations throughout their middle- and high-school careers.
“Every time I attend an induction ceremony, I’m even more impressed by the vision of Dr. McConnell and Dr. Russell,” said Dr. Don Tomas, current president of SCC. “Every student who walked across that stage Monday night has a brighter future thanks to what those fine men started 20 years ago. What an inspiring legacy.”
Tyler Cook, a former New Century Scholar now working in SCC’s financial aid department, addressed the inductees and encouraged them to remain as involved as possible in New Century Scholars throughout their high school and college years.
A graduate of SCC and Western Carolina University, Cook has authored three books. He traced his success back to the day he walked across the same auditorium stage and accepted his New Century Scholars certificate.
“I really didn’t understand what it was all about at the time,” Cook told the seventh graders. “You may not fully understand it either right now, and that’s OK. But I’m so glad my parents pushed me to stick with it and get as much out of the program as possible. I met people who became my friends for life, and I learned so much about how to be successful in life.”
The program is designed to improve academic readiness, bolster student persistence toward high school graduation and increase the college-going rate.
Besides working toward their high school diplomas, New Century Scholars are expected to participate in community service activities, develop leadership skills, explore potential career options and prepare for success in college.
Funding for the program is generated by annual donations from Jackson, Macon and Swain Counties.
“We’ve already started fundraising efforts for the next group of New Century Scholars, and we would love to help even more students next year,” said Brett Woods, director of the SCC Foundation. “Every contribution is critical to the success of these students in achieving their goals.”
Donations may be made payable to New Century Scholars and sent to the following address: SCC Foundation 447 College Drive; Sylva, N.C. 28779.
For more information about the New Century Scholars program, contact Pamela Judson at pjudson@southwesterncc.edu or 828.339.4477.
