Friends, family and supporters gathered with members of Elon Academy's Kappa Class to cheer them on as they prepare to attend colleges and universities around the state this fall.
The smiles came easily to members of Elon Academy’s Kappa Class Wednesday night as they lined up to be photographed wearing T-shirts bearing the names of colleges and universities they will attend school this fall.
Nearly as wide were the grins on the faces of their friends, family members and supporters who have been there along the way as these Alamance County students have excelled in school and navigated the challenging process of applying to college.
“You’ve shown grit and dedication and great personal leadership to accomplish what you have during the past three years,” President Connie Ledoux Book told them Wednesday night in McKinnon Hall. “Many people will be inspired by your story, and I encourage you to share it.”
These 21 high school seniors represent the ninth class of local high school students participating in Elon Academy, Elon’s college access and success program that’s become a national model. Selected during their first year of high school, Elon Academy participants gather on Saturdays during the school year and spend an extended time on Elon’s campus during the summer learning leadership skills, being exposed to college-level academics and receiving support as they prepare to apply for college. The program targets students with financial need and/or no family history of attending college.
Book reported that this year’s class received more than 100 college acceptance letters and almost $3 million in merit-based scholarships. This fall, they will be heading to Elon, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, East Carolina University, Winston-Salem State University and Alamance Community College.
“You have far exceeded our expectations,” said Terry Tomasek, associate professor of education and director of the Elon Academy. “You have persevered because you were committed to the goal of attending college.”
One Elon Academy student, Jenny Te Vazquez, this year earned the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a first for an Elon Academy student. The scholarship covers all expenses for four years at UNC along with support for summer enrichment experiences.
“You are the future,” Book told the Kappa Class students. “You are the bright stars.”
One of those “bright stars,” Noemi Gavino-Lopez, recalled how the Kappa Class came together three years ago, knowing little about each other, about Elon or what lay ahead. It was the word “Hello” that started those relationships, said Gavino-Lopez, a Cummings High School senior who will attend UNC in the fall.
“We thought we knew what was coming, but we didn’t,” she said. “It all started with “Hello,” and it was that five-letter word along with the generosity of Elon Academy that brought us here today.”
She encouraged her fellow students to rely on the support networks they have developed with each other, their families and faculty and staff at Elon. “When you face a struggle, do not do so along and when you celebrate, share it with us,” Gavino-Lopez said.
A fellow Elon Academy graduate, Jarren Mebane, offered his insights into what lies ahead for them as they pursue a college degree. Now a rising junior at UNC-Charlotte majoring in computer science, Mebane urged these newest Elon Academy graduates to make the most of the time they have at their colleges and universities to meet new people, experience new things and learn something new.
“You are about to embark on a journey that will transform you and everyone around you,” Mebane said.
Mebane said there will be stressful times and there will be failures, but that each of them have support networks they can rely upon to help them through those times. “Find what helps keep you going,” Mebane said. “You’re parents do not leave you. Elon Academy does not leave you.”
Ben Lauck’s son Bradley is among the Kappa Class, and will attend UNC this fall. Lauck told the crowd that working alongside his son during the past three years has been a learning experience for him as well. He’s seen his son benefit from the independence he experienced during the month-long program at Elon during the summers, and he’s learned about the challenges students and families face with the college application process.
“Because of Elon Academy, we are now experienced parents and we can’t express our gratitude for that,” Lauck said. “We have been truly blessed to be part of this program.”
Each member of the Kappa Class received the gift of “What the Best College Students Do,” by Ken Bain, from the Elon chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.