College Planning Program Assists Student in Landing $1.8 Million in Scholarships, Including Full Scholarships to 6 Top Colleges
MARIETTA, Ga., May 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity today announced that on Sunday, May 28, 2017 the Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia will host its 10th Annual High School Graduation Celebration Worship Service. For Paulding County High School's Kimberly Hadaway, the blessings are overflowing with full scholarships to 6 of the country's top colleges: Princeton, Duke, Vanderbilt, Washington and Lee, Amherst, and Williams.
For the past 10 years, the church's Education Ministry Leaders, Mychal and Nina Wynn, a college planning couple, who operate the Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity's nationally recognized 'College Planning Cohort™ Program' began inspiring elementary school students through the church's biannual academic celebrations to aspire toward big college-bound dreams.
As a third grader, Kimberly approached Mr. Wynn with a request, "Mr. Wynn, I want to go to college and my mother cannot afford to pay for me to go to college. Since you know all of this college planning stuff, tell me what I need to do."
Since that fateful request for help, the Wynns have been guiding Kimberly's college trajectory. First, through test prep for Georgia's CRCT testing as an elementary and middle school student. Then, by developing a 7-year middle-through-high school course schedule, heavy in advanced math, science, and Advanced Placement classes. Then, by encouraging Kimberly to make a commitment to leadership and community service. Finally, putting Kimberly on the radar of selective institutions with need-based, 'no loans,' financial aid policies by applying to their 'Diversity Weekend' programs.
Kimberly's full college scholarship offers could not come at a better time. After suffering through years of long-term unemployment, Kimberly's single-parent mother has lost their home to foreclosure. Kimberly and her mom will be vacating their home within days following Kimberly's graduation, as class salutatorian, at Paulding County High School. As her mom seeks temporary housing, Kimberly will be on her way, on a full scholarship and an all-expenses paid 'Summer Science Program' at the top ranked liberal arts college in the United States--Williams College where she will major in mathematics.
Kimberly's mother, Yvette Ifill, still overwhelmed by the enormity of it all, comments, "I am a native of Guyana who knew nothing about the U.S. public education system. Without the Wynns guidance, the Turner Chapel AME Church's College Planning Cohort, and our small group coach, Mrs. Kim Sackey, this would not have been possible. My daughter has always been a good student, but being a good student is not enough. The Wynns exposed Kimberly to Diversity Weekend opportunities, reviewed all of her college essays, assisted her in preparing for interviews, and interacted with college admissions and financial aid officers on our behalf. They have held our hand, step-by-step since Kimberly was in elementary school."
More information: http://www.accessandequity.org/.
CONTACT:
For more information:
Mychal Wynn or Nina Wynn
Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity
P.O. Box 70457
Ph: (678) 395-5825
E-mail: [email protected]
SOURCE Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity
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