Scholarship Offered By The Western Piedmont Foundation Is Enabling A Student To Be The First Person In Her Family To Attend College

The Burke Collegiate Scholars program identifies academically able rising sixth-graders in Burke County Public Schools who are potential first-generation college students. One student is chosen from each elementary school to participate in the program each year. The awards are made on the basis of academic potential, leadership skills and financial need.

Emily Powell, a student at Western Piedmont Community College, was named a Burke Collegiate Scholar when she was a fifth-grader attending Hildebran Elementary School.

“I remember being called up to the stage and being completely shocked, not realizing how much I would be thanking my fifth-grade self in the future,” Powell said.

Students chosen as Burke Collegiate Scholars receive mentoring, counseling and enrichment activities through WPCC’s Educational Talent Search program during their middle- and high-school years. Counselors meet with the students on a regular basis to help them reach their full academic potential. Students learn about different careers and the education required to be hired for jobs in those careers.

“I loved going to Talent Search meetings and learning about what I could pursue in my future,” Powell said. “I do feel they helped me prepare for college. They kept it fresh in my mind and let me know that it’s OK to ask for help.”

Once they graduate from high school, Burke Collegiate Scholars are offered a full scholarship to Western Piedmont Community College for up to five consecutive semesters.

“I hadn’t put much thought into college because of my financial state,” Powell said. “I almost forgot I had received a scholarship, so I’m grateful someone was keeping up and reminded me that I could afford to go to college.”

She is currently enrolled in the paralegal program at WPCC.

“The BCS scholarship played a major factor in pursuing higher education,” Powell said. “Without the support, I would have either applied for loans and (gone into) debt, or I would’ve chosen to not go at all.”

She is grateful for her college experiences and has learned a lot.

“WPCC has been welcoming,” Powell said. “I can tell the staff have a commitment to student achievement.”

She encouraged people to consider making a donation to the Burke Collegiate Scholars fund to give more students like her the opportunity of a lifetime.

“This scholarship has been the cornerstone to youths who would’ve never had a chance without it,” Powell said.

“Having this scholarship presented to me in fifth grade was a blessing in disguise. I will always remember from this experience that helping one person won’t change the world, but it could change the world for one person.”

To learn more about the Burke Collegiate Scholars program or to make a donation, visit wpcc.edu/foundation or call the foundation at 828-448-6156.