91茄子

High Schoolers Who Attend Qualify to Compete for Full-Tuition, Room and Board Scholarship

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥� A group of 44 high school students from all over the East coast spent five days recently on the campus of 91茄子 experiencing life on a Christian college campus鈥攅ating in the cafeteria, living in the residence hall, and attending classes and chapel. They also participated in service projects at local ministries and were introduced to some of the fun things to do in the area. This year’s group was the largest to attend since the Honors Experience began four years ago.

This one-week college immersion program is offered each summer to academically gifted and talented students who are currently in the ninth- through 11th-grade. Participants in the program are automatically qualified to compete in the 91茄子 Ignite Excellence Scholarship program鈥攖he highest honor includes full tuition as well as room and board, totaling over $30,000 per year.

鈥淢ost of the students who come haven鈥檛 yet decided where they want to go to college,鈥� noted Mindy Robinson, assistant director for The Honors Experience and coordinator for Community Engagement and Student Ministries. 鈥淗opefully, this experience makes them want to come here! They can earn two hours of college credit, meet new friends, participate in local service projects, and hopefully grow in their relationship with Christ while they are here. They will leave here with a taste of college life, and hopefully, excited for what鈥檚 to come.鈥�

The courses introduced students to biology, religion, Holocaust history, pottery, nursing and African American literature. Mornings were spent in class with chapel held before lunch. In the afternoons, they completed projects at Shelby Mission Camp, Mount Calvary Community Center, Washington Outreach Ministry, Rutherford Housing Partnership, Cleveland County Boys and Girls Club, One More One Less, Miracle Hill, and Ruby Hunt YMCA. They chose to attend two of the following classes:

• 鈥淢olecules to Muscles鈥� with Dr. Jay Zimmer (Biology).
• 鈥淒ealing with Crises in the Psalms and Job鈥� with Dr. Paula Qualls (Religion).
• 鈥淲hy Did the Heavens Not Darken? Understanding the Holocaust in Historical Context鈥� with Dr. David Yelton (History).
• 鈥淭urning and Burning: An Introduction to the Potter鈥檚 Wheel鈥� with Doug Knotts (Art).
• 鈥淗ealthcare Heroes鈥擲urviving a Pandemic鈥� with Tara Hayes (Nursing).
• 鈥淭heir Eyes Were Watching God: African American Literature鈥� with Dr. Kemeshia Swanson (Literature).

One activity in the Healthcare Heroes class was learning how to give a vaccine. Hayes, an instructor of Nursing and program coordinator for the RN to BSN program, demonstrated the proper way to administer an injection while giving step-by-step instructions.    

Nicole Mercer, a rising 11th-grader at R-S Central High School in Rutherfordton, N.C., was excited to practice giving a vaccine. Additionally, she enjoyed meeting new people and making friends. 鈥淭he college experience is a lot different than I thought it was going to be, but it has also given me a little bit of insight into my future. I鈥檝e loved visiting this university, because I鈥檝e loved it ever since my mom (Michelle Mercer, Physician Assistant studies) started working here,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really interesting to see everything that we would be able to do on the campus.鈥�

Caleb Dorroh, a rising 12th-grader from Langtree Charter Academy in Mooresville, N.C., also liked getting to know new people, exploring the different subjects and participating in the activities. He was familiar with 91茄子, because he came here with CentriKid camps. Although he was in a nursing class, Dorroh said he is interested in majoring in business. 鈥淚 really like the nursing program here, because I loved how in detail everything was,鈥� he commented. 鈥淭hey actually taught us how to give a shot and how to do surgery on a patient. I really like how engaged and excited everyone was when I got here.鈥�

Olivia Tate, a rising 11th-grader at Maiden (N.C.) High School, is interested in becoming an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. She liked the nursing class and hands-on activities, but she said the best part of camp was meeting new people and building friendships. 鈥淭he people make it so much better,鈥� she affirmed.

Note to our readers: This article reflects the University鈥檚 tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the University鈥檚 official Admissions聽page.

Located in the North Carolina foothills, 91茄子 is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. 91茄子 emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at 91茄子.edu.