Crosby Scholars
2016-2017 Winter Newsletter
Happy Birthday Crosby Scholars - Celebrating 25 years
Crosby Scholars kicked off its 25th Anniversary Celebration by thanking community members for what they have helped Crosby Scholars achieve in its first 25 years and by looking forward to its “Grant Education for the Next Generation" initiative.
The College Access Program has grown from its beginnings in two Forsyth County high schools to serving more than 10,000 middle and high school students in 42 schools, according to Trent Jernigan, chair of the Crosby Scholars Board of Directors.
Crosby Scholar alumni shared the tangible impact Crosby Scholars has had on their lives. Read more...
Student Spotlight - A’leah Gunthrope
A’leah Gunthrope is an 11th grade Crosby Scholar at North Forsyth High School who recently donated her time and talent to a local United Way agency, Cancer Services.
Guthrope purchased all the materials and made 30 pillows for cancer survivors in our community. She worked for 10 days, three hours each day to complete her project! She delivered the pillows to the organization upon completion and received a heartfelt thank you from the staff.
“The pillows are just wonderful and will be a big hit with our clients,” said Sue Kirby, Cancer Services office manager.
Using her skills, Gunthrope’s work will impact dozens of people who are facing cancer in our community.
Way to go, Al’eah Gunthrope – our high school spotlight of this issue!
Crosby Scholars Spread Cheer in the Winston-Salem Jaycees Holiday Parade
"Crosby Scholars is our name
College bound is our game
For college. For life.
Learning skills to make things right
Sound Off - Middle School
Sound Off - High School
Sound Off Everyone - Happy Holidays"
This chant could be heard from the voices of close to ninety marching Crosby Scholars at the Jaycees Holiday parade on the evening of December 3rd. Students sported Santa hats and sweatshirts donated by Hanesbrands, Inc. with the Crosby Scholars 25th anniversary logo. Those who participated earned 2 hours of community service and were rewarded at the end of the parade route with warm Krispy Kreme doughnuts. It was a great way to celebrate the season.
Alumni Spotlight
Crosby Scholar Alumni, Mrs. Alison (Harris) Welcher continues to excel in her educational pursuits. She attends the Harvard Graduate School of Education pursuing a Doctor of Educational Leadership. Alison received her Master’s in Risk and Prevention from Harvard in 2007 and is a proud alumna of Spelman College.
Before accepting the position as L.I.F.T. Director of Leadership with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system, Alison served as the Principal of Ranson IB Middle School from 2011-2015. During her tenure at Ranson IB, she launched the inaugural cohort of Opportunity Culture and led her scholars to achieve some of the highest academic growth among Title 1 Schools in the state and was in the state’s top one percent overall for student growth.
Mrs. (Harris) Welcher is also featured in a recently released book, “Breakthrough Principals”, where her outstanding leadership style contributed to the overall success of not only her scholars, but also the staff.
Alison is a graduate of Robert B. Glen High School.
Alison, we continue to be proud of your many accomplishments!
How NC Senate Bill 873 Will Help College Students
- Beginning in 2018, Elizabeth City State University, Western Carolina University and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke will lower their tuition fee to $500 for in-state students and $2,500 for out-of-state students per semester.
- Students enrolled in the UNC System in the fall of 2016 are guaranteed to pay the same tuition for all 4 years or 5 years depending on the program.
- Student fees at UNC schools will be reduced by 5% during 2016 and future fees will increase no more than 3% after this time.
- The UNC Board of Governors will consider lifting the admission of non-resident students at those schools decreasing their tuition, ECSU, WCU and UNC Pembroke, from the current cap of 18%.
- Fifty Cheatham-White Merit Scholarships will be awarded at North Carolina A&T State University and NC Central University.
Student Spotlight -Olivia Mock
Olivia Mock is a busy 7th grade Crosby Scholar at Meadowlark Middle School. She enjoys giving back to the community and touching the lives of others.
Mock volunteers with several organizations including: the Town of Lewisville serving on the student leadership committee, Hospice with Cookies and Craft Club, and the SECU Family House with Teens in the House program. She is also a part of the Mustang Mavericks at Meadowlark Middle school and is a dancer and an artist.
In the student leadership committee Mock has the opportunity to learn about operations of government and to volunteer at town and civic club events that benefit the residents of the community. Volunteer opportunities include: Student Back Pack program, homeless goods collection, Shalloween in the Square, Tree Lighting with Santa, and movie and play nights. Hospice Cookies and Craft Club allows her to foster moments of happiness by helping students create decorations for the grounds and for Camp Carousel. She also plays bingo with the residents of Homestead Hills. At the SECU Family House Teens in the House Program Mock is part of an annual week-long summer event to learn about programs and needs of the families, and to provide meals and assistance to them.
Way to go, Olivia Mock, our middle school spotlight for this issue.
Financial Literacy Bootcamp
With the help of Wells Fargo and their educational tool, Hands on Banking, we offered a Financial Literacy Bootcamp for our 9th grade students. Every Monday for four weeks 26 students committed to learn about money management. Students participated in interactive activities that taught topics that included credit, savings and checking, budgeting, and investments. These students gained valuable financial tools to make smart financial decisions in the future. We look forward to offering this program to Crosby Scholars in additional grade levels in the future. It is important to equip Crosby Scholars with the knowledge to manage their money now and in the future.
As an enticement to encourage attendance, students who were present for all four sessions had their name put in the drawing for a $50 gift card; 9th grade students received Grade Academy credit for attending all four sessions, gift cards to Dunkin Donuts were given to students for classroom participation, and everyone enjoyed eating pizza at each session.
One student remarked, "This was a great session, my friends would have loved it!"
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Crosby Scholars Are AAMPED For Success
AAMPED is a new Crosby Scholars initiative to support and guide African American males enrolled in the Program through middle school, high school, and the college admissions and financial aid process. Our purpose is to help African American males have access to the resources needed to create successful life and college plans.
AAMPED students have the opportunity to attend life skills workshops, cultural events, social activities, and community service events. @Me, the personal branding workshop, helped students learn how to define themselves before someone else does. The AAMPED drug prevention workshop, Nah, I’m Good, educated youth on the latest substance abuse trends, and equipped them with the tools to say no to drugs and alcohol. "The Back to the Future College Tour" took students to UNCG and North Carolina A&T to explain about future college opportunities, and the International Civil Rights Museum to explore their past.
The AAMPED team, comprised of Emeka Anazia, Jessica Fisher, and James Jessup are passionate about African American Male college-access and future-readiness. We encourage every African American male to take advantage of this program!
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If you would like to make a donation to our program, we accept checks payable to Crosby Scholars Community Partnership and mailed to our address below. Credit card payments can be made directly on the homepage of our website by clicking here.
We thank you for thinking of us during this season of giving.
WISHING YOU A JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON!
THE CROSBY SCHOLARS OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED STARTING DECEMBER 23 AND WILL REOPEN ON THE 3RD OF JANUARY.
Crosby Scholars Community Partnership
Email: info@crosbyscholars.org
Website: www.crosbyscholars.org
Location: 2701 University Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
Phone: 336 725-5371
Facebook: facebook.com/CrosbyScholars
Twitter: @Crosbyscholars